Updated 4/7/2019: Edited for a smoother read.

Chapter 13

Jaime IV

The following day found Jaime in Winterfell's solar, trying very hard to not glare at Ned Stark. He now understood why he had been so furious with Aemon the day before. His friend had left him tied to the bed, naked, in favor of chasing down his damn sister. It was Ned Stark who had untied him. Ned fucking Stark had now seen him at his absolute worst. It was enough to make him want to vomit. Again.

The old wounds at being called the Kingslayer had reopened as well. It was as it was before. Jaime was shamed and scorned for killing a king that everyone had wanted dead anyway, but Ned Stark had gotten away with hiding his nephew and lying to Westeros. No one had thought much of the bastard being a blemish on Ned's honor even before then.

Since Aemon's existence had just come to light, it would be some time before he'd know how the realm reacted to Ned Stark's treachery, but he had a feeling he wouldn't suffer the way he had.

"Ser Jaime, I wanted to thank you for saving my son, Robb. It was a gallant thing to do and proved how worthy you are to be a knight," Ned Stark said. His voice was a calm blue, as deep as the ocean and somehow it irritated Jaime even further that he should sound so calm.

He snorted at that. "You're famous for your honesty, Lord Stark, so don't lie now. Don't act like you're getting your teeth pulled." His own voice was the color of the fire and he wanted nothing more than for it to somehow burn Lord Stark.

Ned sighed in frustration. "I did not lie. I am truly thankful for what you did for my son and it truly was worthy of a knight."

"But you don't think I'm a worthy knight."

"King Aemon has pardoned you of that. I think we can let it go."

"Can we? I do believe I'm still known as the Kingslayer everywhere in Westeros."

"Jo - Aemon has suggested that I may have been wrong in my judgment of you."

Jaime crossed his arms and stared down at Ned imperiously from his place by the wall. He didn't bother trying to hide his glare anymore.

"I am prepared to make amends with you, for the sake of my nephew. He trusts you and I want to trust you too."

"There is nothing that I can say that will change your mind. You made it up about me a long time ago. The only thing that will satisfy you is if I kept to my duty and you killed me on the way to murder old King Scab. Just know this Lord Stark, if I were informed that my entire family would be put to death if I killed King Aerys, including myself, I would've still shoved my sword into his back, the consequences upon myself be damned," Jaime growled not unlike the lion the Lannisters wore.

Ned's eyes widened at his declaration. He opened his mouth to say more, but just then there was a knock at the door and Aemon walked in.

"Your Grace," Jaime said with a formal bow.

"Your Grace," Ned said, giving a nod of his head.

Aemon studied them for a moment, seeming to know that tensions were high. Then he said, "I apologize for my tardiness. I was consulting with Ser Barristan about the Kingsguard schedule and who we might promote to the empty spots."

"You need not explain yourself. You are the king after all," Jaime said, but a shadow fell over his face at the mention of the Kingsguard spots. At dinner, Aemon had declared that Jaime's injuries now prevented him from serving faithfully in the Kingsguard and he was furthermore honorably discharged from the position. It was then that he also formally pardoned Jaime for the kingslaying of his grandfather, citing the atrocious crimes the king had committed as enough reason for the king to be dealt with as quickly as possible. It was a declaration that had been met with muttering, but even despite being acerbically referred to as the Kingslayer for so long, everyone was in agreement that the Mad King had deserved to die.

"It's polite," Aemon insisted. "Now, we need to plot out our next steps. We have the jump on the entire kingdom and, uncle, as grateful as I am for your support, we need more than just the support of the North. It won't take long for the rest of the kingdom to hear that you've summoned the lords of the North. I want to be open about my motivations. The ruling houses of Westeros should hear it from me first that I have claimed the throne and already hold the old king hostage."

"Be careful, Aemon. You may have taken the biggest players out, but the game of thrones is still something to be played cautiously," Jaime said.

"I'm aware. Uncle, tell me, can I expect support from the Vale and Riverlands?"

"You should," Ned replied. "I was well known and liked in the Vale. Naturally, the Tullys will support you, since Robb is your cousin and ally."

"I want to be sure. Please send letters to them on my behalf. I'll be happy to include a missive if it might win their trust more easily."

"Very well. Robert may have been a Jon Arryn ward as well, but although the kingdom has been at peace, the little I've learned from Robert suggests that it's been poorly managed."

"He was a shit king, Lord Stark. He left the ruling to the council and just drank and whored his kingdom away," Jaime said coolly.

Ned glared at him. "Robert was a good man once. But you're right, he was always ill-suited to rule."

"Jaime, what do you know about the rest of the kingdoms?"

"You're asking me this? Tyrion knows how politics works better than I. Maybe he should be here."

Aemon gave him a wry look. "As much as I like Tyrion, I'm not quite ready to trust him with this sensitive information. You're not as uninformed as you think, either. Tell me."

"Well, the Reach and Dorne backed the Targaryen's during the Rebellion. Promise them a worthy marriage and the Tyrells will leap to your aid. I'll see about convincing my father to turn over Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch. The Martells will be on good terms with you for allowing them justice for Elia Martell and her children. Another marriage offer wouldn't go amiss either. However, I am your closest ally and they despise the Lannisters. That is where you might run into trouble."

"Do I even need to ask about the Westerlands?"

Jaime barked a laugh. "Not only did you save my father's golden heir's head, but you have released me from the Kingsguard, allowing me to take my place as the heir he always wanted. He may very well grovel at your feet and that's a tall order from my father." There was a note of bitterness to his voice.

Aemon smiled at him. "I know you have no interest in being heir to Casterly Rock, but I did not release you from the Kingsguard for your injuries alone. You are my most trusted ally, I need you in a position to work in tandem with me."

"I understand, Aemon, but you and I know better than most how dangerous the game of thrones is. I'd prefer to be by your side," Jaime said.

"I have Ser Barristan and I will be traveling with the Northern army. I can think of few more capable nor more trustworthy. I want to send letters to the Reach and Dorne, but I want you to go there and do the actual negotiating."

"What?" Jaime and Ned both said at the same time. Jaime was aghast and Ned was appalled.

"Your Grace - "

"Uncle, you can call me by name. No need to stand on formalities in a private room."

"Of course, Aemon, do you really trust Ser Jaime Lannister with something like this? This is your kingdom, we're talking about."

"Am I not trustworthy enough for you, Lord Stark?" Jaime growled at Ned.

Aemon also glared at his uncle. "Jaime has a far better grasp and understanding of the situation than you, uncle. I trust him to negotiate on my behalf. The Tyrells and the Martells must know that I am not taking them lightly. You will act on my behalf as Hand of the King!"

The silence after Aemon's proclamation was so complete, Jaime could swear he could hear the drops of moisture on damp stone in the Stark's family crypt.

"Me? Hand of the King?" Jaime's voice practically squeaked. His normally blue voice had turned lime green at the pitch. He cleared his throat and said in a more natural voice, "You can't be serious."

"Of course, I'm serious. I need you to have the power necessary to act on my behalf. With these negotiations, you'll be making decisions that impact the kingdom. The Tyrells and the Martells have to know that you are in a position of authority. I can think of no better person."

"Your Grace, Aemon, you can trust me to negotiate on your behalf," Ned said, sounding more than a little desperate as his voice changed to a wavering purple. Jaime clenched his teeth and scowled at Ned. Aemon scowled too.

"Uncle, it has nothing to do with trust and everything to do with knowledge. It would take far too much time to explain everything to you. Jaime knows, he lived it with me. He has also been living in King's Landing for the last fifteen years and is the only person I trust with the handling of the game of thrones. I hate to say it, uncle, but you know very little about what it takes to keep a throne."

"You'll need a good reason for making me Hand. We're not supposed to know each other," Jaime replied.

Aemon tapped his chin as he thought for a moment and then said, "The official reasoning will be that I made you Hand so that I could have access to Lannister resources. And since outwardly, I saved your life, you owe me a debt."

Jaime raised his eyebrows. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you've been getting lessons from Tyrion. Cunning. I like it. However, I must protest in regards to the Martells. They will have my head if I try to negotiate with them. Because of your half brother and sister."

"I suppose it's not enough that you didn't kill them?"

"No."

"Hmm...that's a shame. I was hoping to have Dorne by the time I take King's Landing. We can take it without them. That'll have to wait," Aemon said. "Do still send them Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch as a gesture of goodwill."

"With pleasure."

"Jaime, I want you to write a letter to your father this evening. Tell them of the events, make sure he doesn't attack King's Landing. You leave tomorrow for Barrowton to take a ship to Lannisport to meet with your father."

"Tomorrow? The Maester said he was going to take my stitches out in five days."

"Damn. Then I want you on a horse as soon as Maester Luwin has removed your stitches. Then you'll visit the Reach. I will write the letters to the Tyrells, the Martells, the Stormlands, and Pike. What kind of reception can I get from the Baratheon brothers and Greyjoy, Lord Jaime, Uncle?"

Jaime and Ned glanced at each other. When Ned nodded, Jaime began, "I think you know not to expect a warm welcome from them. The Stormlands can boast a decent force, but not as large as the Westerlands or the North. I highly recommend you send your letters to the Reach tonight. Take advantage of your time. King's Landing is the seat of kings and I imagine Renly is going to move into the city and prepare it for siege. Can you be a King of the Seven Kingdoms without the seat of power? They'll do their damndest to hold it from you."

"I would agree with Ser - I mean, Lord Jaime's assessment regarding Renly's response. Be cautious of Stannis, Aemon. He is an excellent military commander; do not underestimate him."

"He also has the Red Priestess with him. We have to stop her before she does any permanent damage," Jaime said. "She's going to try to make him king."

"But Robert's our hostage. He's not dead. Stannis cannot declare himself king until Robert's death is confirmed," Ned interjected.

"Agreed. Let's keep Robert alive for as long as possible."

"You should probably limit his wine intake then. He's been drinking himself into an early grave for better than a decade," Jaime muttered.

"I'll be doing a number of things to make sure Robert stays alive, including rationing his food to normal portions. He may be a nobleman, but he's still a prisoner and he should not be allowed the luxury to indulge like a king," Aemon said. "What about Greyjoy?"

"We have Theon as a hostage for a reason," Ned said. "I don't trust Balon Greyjoy to act in the best interests of the realm."

"Balon can't be trusted and neither can any of his brothers," Jaime said. "If you want the fully cooperative support of Pike, then assassinate Balon and his brothers and install Theon as the leader."

"Jaime, we both know that the people of Pike would never allow that. They have their own system of electing a leader."

"Then allow Theon to fight and prove himself or put your support behind Yara Greyjoy and leave Theon by the wayside. I'm assuming you're interested in the Pike fleet?" Jaime asked.

"I am. It would be a most useful tool."

Jaime chuckled and shook his head. "Good luck trying to control them."

"I have little doubt they'll be a thorn in my side if I don't do as you suggest in regards to installing Theon or Yara Greyjoy. But the people of Pike are a stubborn lot."

"They are pirates because they have no industry. Nothing of value can be found on those islands," Ned said. "We need to find a way for them to be able to grow the resources they need on their own."

"Or we could relocate them elsewhere in the Seven Kingdoms," Aemon suggested, though he didn't sound hopeful. "Despite living on a spit of rock, I imagine the people there are just as attached to their land as northerners are to our land." He sighed. "We're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's focus on what we can do in the coming weeks. Let's discuss marriages. Any suggestions?"

"Offer the Tyrells your cousin Robb," Jaime said. "The Reach is the bread basket of Westeros. The North will need that food supply when the Long Night comes."

"Good idea. Do you think they'll go for it?"

"I would insist upon it. Mace Tyrell is a fool and he'll try to play up his support of your family to insist his daughter be queen. He mismanaged his resources and what should've been an easy win against Stannis, he instead allowed your uncle to break his army's back. He doesn't deserve to have his daughter placed on the throne. I think...Olenna Tyrell will be amenable," Jaime replied neutrally, though his frown deepened. "They need to be handled carefully." He was thinking back to when Olenna confessed to poisoning Joffrey and thereby creating the events that led to all of his bastard children and Lord Tywin to their deaths. "Since I'm going to be the one negotiating on your behalf...do I have permission to offer Sansa Stark to their heir Willas Tyrell?"

"Now, Ser Jaime, we're talking about my daughter - "

"-who loves songs and the knights who rescue fair maidens. He may not be much of a knight, but he raises hounds and horses. I think she'd quite enjoy Highgarden," Jaime replied. He thought back to his other life when he'd heard that the Tyrells were working to marry Sansa to Willas, until his lord father caught wind of it and instantly married her to his brother instead. Cripple and all, he's certain Sansa would have been much happier married into the Tyrells, not least because it took her away from her primary source of misery: King's Landing.

"Aemon, are you sure about this?"

"I never met Willas Tyrell, but I heard good things about him. He was killed when the Lannisters took High Garden."

"Much to my chagrin," Jaime muttered. "Cersei wouldn't have it any other way."

"That's why we're not allowing her anywhere near power," Aemon finished the thought. Ned's eyes went wide at the small side-track in conversation, but Aemon shot a look at him that suggested they would talk later.

"I was thinking...do you think Arya would do well in Dorne?"

"They train their women to fight," Jaime said, giving him a knowing look. "You might be able to seal their alliance with just Ser Gregor's head."

"If they don't bite, I may offer her hand in marriage to Tristayne Martell. I want her to live there at least a year before officially sealing it. I don't want her to be miserable."

"That can be arranged," Jaime replied.

"Uncle, I would like your input on this. These are your children after all," Aemon said.

Ned was quiet for a moment and he was obviously miffed. "I don't like the thought of Arya being on the other side of the continent, however you do put forth a good argument that she might be happier among people who would indulge her desire to fight. What I don't understand is why neither of you are offering yourselves? Both of you would be highly eligible bachelors."

Jaime huffed. "First of all, Margaery Tyrell is only a year older than your eldest daughter. I will not marry a child. Second, do you really want the second most powerful house of Westeros marrying the first most powerful house? Even if I have no desire for the throne, Margaery Tyrell and her family do. Even if nothing happens in our lifetime, the next generation could potentially make a bid for Aemon's throne. I will not allow that. She's safer up in the North as Robb's lady wife."

"What of you, nephew? What's your reason?"

Aemon raised his eyebrows and said, "I have every intention of marrying Daenerys Targaryen."

"Your aunt? Do you think that wise?"

"We will need her for the Long Night."

"What of Viserys? He was never stable even when he was a child," Jaime said.

"He'll be a problem. That's presuming he's still alive by the time I meet with Daenerys," Aemon said, frowning slightly. "I'm not going to worry about that right now. First, I would prefer to secure the throne and unite the Seven Kingdoms. Let's focus on that for now. You have your orders. I want those letters sent no later than this evening. Lord Jaime, if you'll stay a moment."

Ned hesitated at the door, but then he nodded and left.

"I don't think my uncle cares much for me taking over his solar. I think having the run of Winterfell previously went to my head," Aemon said, grimacing.

"I'm not the best at writing, Aemon, so if you have something to say, then do it," Jaime said.

Aemon nodded and dropped his voice so low that Jaime had to lean in to hear him, "You can see sounds again, can't you?"

Jaime sighed and nodded.

"That's another reason why I made you Hand. It'll be much harder for people to hide their intentions and I think you'll have a much easier time negotiating because of it."

"You're probably right, but I've never had to be the diplomat before."

"I know, but I need you in this capacity. We both know my uncle would in all likelihood negotiate from a position of mutual trust. I want you to negotiate from a position of power. The North are formidable and few people want to cross your father without good reason. Use that power, but gently. We don't need to make enemies."

"I understand," Jaime replied, though there was a bite of impatience to his voice.

"I want to tell you my schedule, so that you might be able to reach me by raven. When the northern lords get here, I intend to ride to Castle Black. I want to speak to Lord Commander Jeor Mormont about the Long Night and also...speak to my great great uncle."

"I forgot that he was there. He might be valuable."

Aemon nodded. "Right. From Castle Black I will return to Winterfell and then head to Moat Cailin, then cross the Twins, and stay at Riverrun for a few weeks to gather the Vale. From there I should probably head to King's Landing so that I can take the throne. I expect to be at King's Landing's doors in three to four months, depending on how slow the army moves."

"It'll be slow. Expect to be there in five months. For the record, I'm not sending a single raven to Walder fucking Frey. He's best assassinated if you want my opinion."

"I can't just assassinate lords because I find them untrustworthy. We both know that."

"No matter how dim-witted I find Edmure Tully, I can at least trust that he has enough integrity to not read your messages."

"Agreed."

"Will that be all? What of Lord Baelish?"

For the first time since becoming king, Aemon looked uncertain. "He is the only lord I have no reservations about killing. If you can detain him or pretend to work with him, do so."

"He's probably one of the few people who's going to know about the events of yesterday in a matter of weeks. Just like last time, he's going to convince Lysa Arryn to keep her forces from joining us."

"Not all of them. Lord Yohn Royce commands a great deal of respect in the Vale and he might be willing to forsake Lysa's words."

"I wouldn't guarantee it. At any rate, if we can snag the Reach, the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and, of course, the North, then that's four of the Seven Kingdoms. You'll still be formidable and at some point the other kingdoms will have to bend."

"One can only hope it'll be that simple." Aemon nodded. Just as Jaime opened the door, he called out, "Thank you for doing this."

Jaime hesitated for a moment then closed the door again and said, "I didn't want to say this in front of your uncle, but it could be equally dangerous proposing Margaery Tyrell and Robb marry. Until you finally have an heir, you are vulnerable. Until Daenerys Targaryen reaches Westeros, Robb will be your heir. That could tempt the Tyrells into trying to kill you."

Aemon nodded grimly. "I admit I hadn't thought of that."

"It'd be easier if you married the Tyrell girl."

"I'm sure we can find you a bride just as easily," Aemon replied with narrowed eyes.

Jaime grimaced. "That's why I suggested Robb, not you. We both deserve a chance to be with the ones we love."

If they love us back, Jaime wanted to finish, but let it hang in the air. Neither one wanted to think about the women they loved not loving them back. Jaime tried to push the thought to the back of his mind as he left. He had to focus or he'd never get anywhere near Brienne.