JAIME LANNISTER
Day 6, 12th Moon, 275 AC
Jaime sat inside the Lannister wheelhouse as he stared out the window seeking the castle they were to visit. He only knew three castles. Home, Casterly Rock; his cousin's home, Lannisport Castle; and the Red Keep at King's Landing once when he was six and only a short visit because Father had gotten really angry for some reason.
He stirred in his seat with nothing to do, wishing to ride right now.
"Jaime, sit still," Aunt Genna told him, two-year-old Tyrion in her lap. "I'd say there's an hour to go until Riverrun."
Jaime grimaced and rested his elbow on the sill, searching for the castle. The wheelhouse moved so slowly. If Uncle Kevan had let him ride ahead with some soldiers, Jaime could have been there already.
He'd sat inside this wheelhouse for two weeks, constantly wishing he was on horseback instead. A desperate itch for the saddle and riding free on open ground. To get out of this wheelhouse and just ride. His pleas to Uncle Kev had fallen on deaf ears. Movement and Jaime belonged together. Stillness, however, didn't and created restlessness within him. His frequent stirring irritated Aunt Genna and Cersei.
"Sorry, Aunt Genna," he said and sought the castle of Riverrun.
When he got bored from doing nothing, it annoyed Cersei, who seemed bored too. Since the letters from the unknown writer, what Cersei did to get what she wanted from him had become more obvious to Jaime. Cersei didn't care about him the way he'd once believed. When Mother and what little kindness Father used to have died with her two years ago, Jaime and Cersei only had each other. Their uncles weren't always around, and Aunt Genna had sons to look after. Her Frey husband looked after them right now at Casterly Rock with Uncle Kev's wife, Dorna Swyft, helping him.
"You'll be out soon, Jaime," Cersei said beside him, but he ignored her. She liked manipulating him. Her care was fake.
Those anonymous letters shoved in Jaime's face the truth about what Cersei was doing. When his sister found out she was going to be the future queen and the wife of Prince Rhaegar, she barely stopped talking about it, every word about being queen and marrying the prince. That proved the letters right. Cersei lied about belonging together. Any time they were together, Cersei would ask for something unusual.
She might believe him stupid and blind, but she couldn't be more wrong if she did. If he was stupid, Jaime would trust her without question after getting those letters. But now, he thought about her words before agreeing to anything. A person deep in their cups had blurred sight. His eyes stayed wide open now.
"Be that way," Cersei muttered.
He stared at a vast town that came into sight. He'd been stuck in this wheelhouse while Cersei complained jealously about a prettier girl in a song for the entire fortnight. Torture. Any more whinging and he would go mad. These days Cersei was just another Lannister to him, but one who abused Jaime's little brother.
A noisy Riverside tavern got more understandable by the minute. Within it, a crowd sang.
"A trout of one-and-ten,
Swam home again,
And people talked of her since then."
"They say that she is beauty.
They say that she is grace.
Don't say it near a lion's face."
He turned, and Cersei appeared ready to murder the minstrel and singers. If looks could kill, everyone involved would be dead twice over already. Stuck in the crawling wheelhouse with nothing better to do, he listened. Eventually, clapping to the words reached his ears.
"Knock on the lion's door,
You'll hear her roar,
The Westeros beauty she is no more.
"Sansa cares for the people.
She's kind and never shouts.
But look out,
A lion's about.
Cersei, oh hates the Tully trout."
"He was entranced by Sansa's beauty.
He was entranced by Sansa's grace.
Petyr stole a kiss,
And he did not miss.
From Riverrun, he was dis–"
The words were familiar, but the verse about a 'Petyr' differed from the original song.
However, the clapping and song stopped; someone inside probably spotted the Lannister retinue. But his thoughts stirred because the last verse he'd heard was different.
Cersei shook in her seat, her face now the crimson red of a Lannister banner. When her narrowed eyes landed on him, Jaime frowned in memory of how riled she got from servants' whispers. She'd become aggressive towards them of late if they spoke nicely about Sansa Tully.
The song had more words, he knew, but it would be best that no one continued. The final verse would infuriate Cersei if it matched the Westerlands's version. The minstrel probably feared a reaction right now for what Jaime had already heard.
A few moons ago, Jaime would've gotten angry like Cersei. Now he started smirking and smothered his laughter with coughs.
Cersei looked ready to slap him. "It's not funny, Jaime. They're mocking us!" His sister spun to face their aunt. "Stop the wheelhouse and get that minstrel. He shan't sing again!" she demanded, but the portly woman was unfazed.
Aunt Genna gave Cersei a glare and relaxed against the cushions. "Your behaviour in Lannisport over that song was disgraceful, Cersei." That didn't cow his sister. "You embarrassed House Lannister. That song is about a pretty girl and nothing more, but your tantrums spurred it to spread across Westeros."
His twin stared back at their aunt with a bitter scowl. "Why are we even travelling? It's a waste of time."
Aunt Genna levelled a look at Cersei. "You're to become the queen one day, Cersei. This attitude will keep you far from being as successful as your father." That got Cersei's attention. Any reference to matching Father's achievements always did. "A beneficial trade agreement requires respect, and depending on ravens entirely is rude when you're nearby. Be unnecessarily rude, and your gains will be less than what they could be."
It seemed like a weak excuse to bring him, Tyrion and Cersei along. Father's lesson on trade made sense, but Jaime's aunt and uncle were to negotiate, not him. However, it gave him a chance to explore Westeros. He knew Casterly Rock and Lannisport like the back of his hand. Knowing what other kingdoms were like would be brilliant. Uncle Kev refuses, but if only I was on a horse…
With Father in the capital again, Uncle Kev was the lord regent and riding in front with Lannister men. Soon, Jaime could escape Cersei's maddening complaints. The trip had taken only a fortnight, instead of a moon, because of their spare horses for the wheelhouse. A moon would've been worse.
Abandoning the countryside view, Jaime glanced at his twin. If Cersei had found any of the three secret letters he'd burnt to ashes, she'd probably have scowled just as much as she did now.
In Lannisport, after Oberyn Martell paid a minstrel a gold dragon to sing that song, Cersei raged when smallfolk talked about Sansa Tully's supposed superior beauty. So much so that Father restricted Cersei to Casterly Rock. An embarrassment to the family name, Father had said.
After such acts from his twin, Jaime didn't regret that he'd burnt the letters. Cersei's wild rage about the song made him sneak a glance at her. How will she be a good queen if she screams each time something doesn't go her way?
Wheels thudding, they rumbled upon wood just like the clopping hooves. Everywhere hung only black banners and flags. No Tully sigils. The Tully standard had colour, red and blue wavy lines with a silver trout in the centre. The maester taught him all the sigils of Westeros. "Aunt Genna?" he asked the large woman. "Why is every flag black? This is Riverrun, isn't it?"
She glanced out the window and nodded. "We are at Riverrun, Jaime. Black flags are a Whent custom when family dies."
"Oh. Does that mean that Lady Tully...?" he trailed off. Nearly three years ago, when Jaime was seven, he lost Mother when she had Tyrion.
Cersei, on the other hand, barely reacted. "I hope it was that Sansa wench, since House Whent raised her," Cersei muttered darkly.
"Cersei Lannister!" Aunt Genna said with narrowed eyes. "This is unbecoming. I won't have you embarrass us again."
Ignoring the drama, Jaime eyed Riverrun for strengths and weaknesses against a siege. The castle stood tall within a deep and vast flowing river. An assault with a battering ram was impossible. The walls were on the island's edges. Catapults and trebuchets would be essential to conquer this castle. The way in were two drawbridges.
When the wheelhouse came to a stop, Aunt Genna went first with Tyrion on her hip. Uncle Kev joined them. Outside the keep of Riverrun stood a girl of at least one-and-ten waiting for them. And with her stood some kind of lord, a little wrinkly and mostly grey hair; he and the girl donned in all black. Aunt Genna turned to Cersei with mock sympathy. "Well," Aunt Genna said. "If Lady Catelyn isn't Hoster Tully's beauty, Lady Sansa will certainly be a girl to contend with once she's a woman grown."
The girl and old lord approached Jaime and his family, and he had to admit Lady Catelyn was easy on the eye. Whether she behaved like Cersei, who became angry or cruel when things didn't go her way, he would find out soon.
Uncle Kev stepped forward and met Lady Catelyn halfway. "Lady Catelyn, Lord Whent," he said, head bowed for a moment. "We offer our condolences to Houses Tully and Whent with apologies for arriving at such a time."
Lady Catelyn curtsied but sadly shook her head. "You couldn't have known, Ser Kevan. Lady Tully passed in the night in childbed. There's nothing to forgive."
His aunt had always been a person with a sharp mind and joined his uncle's side, Tyrion on her hip. "But your grandchild survived, Lord Whent? We pray it's hale and healthy."
Jaime blinked. He's Lord Whent? No wonder he's so grim.
"Thank you, Genna Lannister. They both are."
His aunt faltered but rallied. "Your daughter, my lord?" She asked, polite but confused.
Jaime mayhaps disliked formalities, but he knew what his family expected of him. Glancing in Cersei's direction, she disagreed and ignored the conversation in front of them. However, he listened.
A girl's heavy breath drew his eyes to Lady Catelyn. "He means the babes, Lady Genna. My lady mother had twin boys. They're hale and healthy..., Oswell and Joseth Tully...but my mother..." she sighed and shook her head. "We're doing the ceremony at sunset."
"Tarly," Tyrion said, drawing attention from all of them. Jaime tensed.
How this girl reacted would tell Jaime whether she was the same as Cersei, who'd have raged at the mistake. House Tarly belonged to the Reach, but Tyrion was two years old, and the names sounded alike. Repulsion and offence were typical responses when they saw his brother. Most acted as though he didn't exist. If she ignored him, it would tell Jaime much.
Aunt Genna gave the girl a daring look, but the redhead didn't react to his aunt. Instead, Lady Catelyn had a humoured smile and stepped towards Tyrion. With a light grasp of his hand, she drew his attention to her. "Close, Tyrion, but not quite," she said kindly. "Tull…li."
His aunt and uncle stared at the girl and Tyrion. Cersei probably stood bored and disgusted wherever she was. Aunt Genna observed the girl in front of her. Uncle Kev looked surprised and ready to intervene.
"Tulllee."
Lady Catelyn chuckled and released Tyrion's hand. "Close enough." The girl smiled and turned to Uncle. Jaime's shoulders eased. "He's just a babe. It's hardly considered an insult, Ser Kevan, Lady Genna." She gave a curtsy in turn. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Sansa Tully. Catelyn and I are much alike, so I understand the error," Lady Sansa said, giving them a ready escape from their earlier mistake. Lord Whent merely nodded his agreement with his granddaughter.
So Oberyn Martell paid a minstrel a ridiculous amount to sing about this girl. Uncle Gery had asked Jaime if he'd wanted Father to know who started it, but the song was about beauty, not honour, so he'd said no.
Aunt Genna nodded to Lady Sansa. "Thank you, Lady Sansa. Your father would be proud of your conduct. I hope your lord grandfather agrees with me."
"Indeed I do, Lady Genna. And Lord Tully would be as well."
Lady Sansa half turned towards the door. "If you will follow me inside for bread and salt? Your chambers will be ready for you shortly."
Beside him, Cersei huffed, and he turned. Cersei's eyes were rock-hard. You can't be serious, Cersei. She lost her mother less than a day ago, graciously receiving visitors, who made a mistake and didn't give a whit about Tyrion's interruption. I thought I'd seen the worst of you.
It must be about that song and its catchy verses. He stifled the laugh so it couldn't reach Cersei's ears and set her off again. Creating humiliation for his family was the last thing he wanted.
Jaime followed behind his aunt and uncle inside the castle to the Great Hall, where refreshments, bread and salt were served for House Lannister and the family of Riverrun's lord. Lord Tully looked pained but dignified.
Aunt Genna was the Lannister with the shrewdest mind between her and Uncle Kev, who let Aunt Genna take the lead when bread and salt were shared. "Lord Tully, your daughter made us aware of the situation. We'd be willing to delay negotiations for a time if you wish?" she said with compassion. "We'll quietly entertain ourselves."
"Lady Genna, Ser Kevan, such a gesture would be appreciated. Thank you," the Lord of Riverrun said with evident gratitude. "Is a week agreeable?"
Uncle Kev nodded. "More than agreeable, Lord Tully." Jaime's uncle observed the lord. "We anticipated a long wait," he admitted humbly from his seat beside Aunt Genna.
Lord Tully turned his hands outward towards the Lannisters. "Consider it an apology of sorts, Ser Kevan. You journeyed here to accelerate negotiations. Not the opposite."
Jaime ignored what else was being said until the location of their chambers came up. Following Aunt Genna and Uncle Kev's example, Jaime stood, and Lord Tully led them to a wing of the castle. His aunt and uncle's bedchambers stood side by side. Cersei's left of Aunt Genna's and his right of Uncle Kev's. An unusual arrangement, but this was the second castle Jaime ever stayed at. Lord Tully gave a short tour of Riverrun and introduced them to their servant before he left.
Venturing through the halls, Jaime went outside and wandered through the baileys. A flash caught his attention. Someone had to be sparring or training. Inside the fenced sparring area, a familiar-looking Salty Dornishman practised, thrusting and spinning a partisan as if he'd been taught how since he could lift one. It was that Martell who refused Father in Lannisport's markets. And paid the minstrel.
"I wouldn't get any closer to Prince Oberyn when he's training, Lord Jaime." Jaime jumped and looked towards the girl's voice. Dressed for riding, Lady Sansa held the reins of a grey mare and gestured towards the fencing. "I thought to say something before you passed the barrier," she said and tied her horse to a post.
"Uh, thanks, Lady Sansa," he said and returned his attention to the practising prince. "So that's the Red Viper?"
"It is," she said and stood beside Jaime. "He travelled with my escort home two moons ago."
"So it's true?" he blurted out. Swallowing now that Lady Sansa met his eyes, he continued with manners. "That you were raised in Harrenhal for ten years?"
Nodding, she gestured towards the stables, where a boy brought out a saddled chestnut charger. "Would you like to join me for a ride while I tell you about it, Lord Jaime?" Lady Sansa offered with a knowing smile. "To my understanding, you were limited to the wheelhouse for your journey? I imagine a horse would make you feel at ease after such a time."
Gods, a horse. I was in that wheelhouse for two weeks. I'm riding that horse.
Nodding to Lady Sansa, he approached the stableboy and mounted with his help. "Don't call me 'Lord Jaime' if there are no adults around. I hear enough of it at Casterly Rock," said Jaime, and he spotted the silent amusement on her face. "If I'm going to be called anything, it's 'Ser Jaime' once I'm a knight."
"A knight like your uncle?"
He would be. Father was firm on Jaime's future as the next Warden of the West, teaching him the running of the Westerlands. "Yes, like Uncle Kevan…For a while, anyway."
"Succeeding your father doesn't mean the end of being a knight, Jaime."
"Of course it does."
Once in the saddle herself, she turned to him. "Ride with me, and I'll explain."
She led him to and through the eastern drawbridge and uphill until they reached a crest, where she stopped and looked at Riverrun from the vantage point. It was quite a sight, and wanting answers, Jaime glanced at Lady Sansa. "So, how could I be both?" he asked sceptically.
"I'd like you to think about something, Jaime," she said with a gentle smile. "How does your father manage the Westerlands and be the Hand of the King simultaneously?"
Since Father was away most of the time, the answer came to him instantly. "Uncle Kevan helps when Father's in King's Landing."
From the saddle, hands on the horn of it, she nodded absently and stopped herself from fiddling with her necklace. "So Lord Lannister has someone else take the role of Lord Regent when he's away?"
"He does," he said, doubtfully wondering how such a thing would be possible for him, "but I don't think he'd allow Tyrion to help me." Jaime sighed when he uttered that truth. "Father hardly tolerates him as it is."
"I feel sorry for Tyrion, he's such a clever babe, and I've only met him for a moment," Lady Sansa said, fiddling with her necklace with its metal curved to spell her name. "Mother told me, even with my siblings, how she managed Riverrun in Father's absence. So I imagine a lady could do it while you act as a knight in the Westerlands?"
It sounded possible, and he knew Father would foist the lady of a respected house upon him eventually. The only girl he knew well around his age was Cersei, and he didn't want someone like that for the rest of his days. Father always got what he wanted, so Jaime just hoped the chosen girl would be nothing like his twin.
In the mood to ride, Jaime spurred his horse eastward on River Road until blood rushed through his veins. Another horse ran beside him, but he focused on the rise and fall of his horse. Jaime slowed to a walk and the girl relaxed beside him. "I don't understand something," he slowly said, biting his lip. "Why aren't you hiding away like your sisters?" He wasn't going to outright ask why she wasn't mourning her mother.
"It may not seem like it, but I am mourning Mother," she murmured, thumbing her necklace. Turning her head to face him, there was a pain in her eyes for a second, but quickly it disappeared. "Some prefer being alone. Some scream until they can no more. Others do something that reminds them of their loved ones."
If a girl cried, it usually included someone screaming at him. This time he counted himself lucky. But she still might, so Jaime was eager to go back to Riverrun when decency presented an opportunity. He'd already asked a sensitive question that upset her, so he wouldn't act rude and flee.
Taking a breath, he looked at the landscape around River Road instead of the girl so she could answer when ready. "Just before Mother died, she gave me this." He turned her way, and in her palm sat the name pendant. "Her last wish was that I ride every day and remember the times we were happy together."
"Why didn't she give it to you before? She was your mother, wasn't she?" Lady Sansa's eyes turned icy, but she didn't say anything. Gods, she is kind and never shouts. I was expecting to be yelled at by now, he thought. The words of one song verse came to mind. An inadvertent snigger slipped out. Oh, fuck.
Her eyes narrowed; lips pursed. "One would expect you'd be sympathetic to such things, Lord Jaime." Definitely pissed but, thank the gods, not going off as Cersei would've. "Seven weeks may not be a long time to you, but she was my mother, the mother I couldn't see for almost eleven years. Believe it or not, I did and still do love her."
Hands by his sides in surrender and nervousness, he swallowed. "I'm sorry. I wasn't laughing at you." Demanded answers were expected from Cersei, but Lady Sansa never spoke. "I knew my mother for seven years, and it still hurts," he told her quietly, hoping that would keep her from going off.
"It will always hurt," she said, looking at the pendant. Lifting her eyes, they met Jaime's, her expression controlled. "So, what were you laughing at?"
He'd dodged an arrow, and Jaime thanked the gods for their mercy. "A tavern song about you and Cersei. Prince Oberyn had a minstrel sing it in Lannisport." She looked at him in confusion but also something else. "It was being sung at Riverside when I was in the wheelhouse."
"What relation does that have to now? Wait, Prince Oberyn?"
Relaxing, he loosened his tight grip on the reins. "I was there when he paid the minstrel a gold dragon. The song doesn't matter to me, but Cersei, gods, she's angry. It would be easier if I said the words that matter." Lady Sansa nodded, and he took that for permission.
"Sansa cares for the people.
She's kind and never shouts.
But look out,
A lion's about.
Cersei, oh hates the Tully trout."
Glancing away for a minute, silence hovered between them until the girl beside him broke it. "Who in their right mind would sing that? Let alone in Lannisport?" she asked bewildered. "First rumours about me, and now a song? At least it explains Lady Cersei's glare."
"Someone desperate for money, I suppose. You didn't know about it?"
She shook her head. "No. I imagine there are more words, but pray tell they don't mock your sister? I heard about Cersei in Lannisport." Jaime half laughed and nodded, which made her groan. He laughed fully. "Pray forgive me, but why do you laugh? I'd think you'd be furious."
Jaime sniggered. "Let's say I'm not too bothered with what Cersei thinks."
Lady Sansa had a quizzical look about her but didn't ask him anything. "I can honestly say I wouldn't expect that from a twin."
He shrugged. Explaining why he barely cared wasn't important. "We have our differences," he said and shortened his hold on the reins, eyes on River Road.
"Don't we all?" She gazed towards Riverrun. "Come. Shall we race back?" Lady Sansa said in a better mood, hands on the reins like his.
Oh, he would. Cooped up in the wheelhouse for so long left him so bored he could probably ride for a week and not grow tired of it. If he had to wager, Riverrun would take some time to reach. And there'd be a funeral later today. Mayhaps I should go as an apology. I was a bit of an arse. As a Lannister, Aunt Genna would have my ear if I didn't go.
"Sure," he said, eager for speed. Galloping always took away his bothers, but there was something he needed to say first. "Lady Sansa? Would my family be welcome to your mother's ceremony? I can't make promises about Cersei, but everyone else would come, even me."
Something seemed to douse any resentment she had for him. He got a sad nod when she replied. "They would be. And thank you, Jaime. I'd appreciate you being there." Now notably happier, the girl looked at him after a moment, her reins gripped to race.
"On three?" he said, his blood beginning to rush in anticipation.
She nodded.
"Three!"
"Hey!"
He laughed but slowed the horse to a canter until she almost caught up.
"That was hardly noble, Ser Jaime!" Lady Sansa hollered over the thundering hooves. Jaime snorted and focused on the path ahead.
Over his shoulder, she was close, and irritation changed to determination. She disappeared but emerged again, her horse running beside his. "Did you just cheat, my lady?" Lady Sansa gave a look of innocence, and he shook his head. "I suppose it's fair."
Riverrun came up fast, and their horses flew down the hill, crossing the drawbridge at a thunder on wood, no doubt drawing the eyes of many.
"A tie?" he offered. Both of them slowed the horses to a walk.
Like him, she was a little short on breath and visibly recovered. "A tie." At the stables, she surrendered her reins to a stableboy. "Thank you for accompanying me, Jamie. It was a pleasant ride," she said with a curtsy. "Even the cheating on both our parts," she japed a little sadly and took her leave towards the inner gatehouse.
He knew she'd cheated.
Walking around into a bailey with a training yard, after avoiding Lady Whent holding a crying Lady Lysa in the gardens, Jaime grinned but faltered when metal rang, and he followed it until he found the Red Viper and the Blackfish sparring. Instead of his partisan, the Red Viper was armed with a sword much like Blackfish.
From behind the fencing, Jaime observed their different styles and strengths; speed against power, and light armour against the plate armour which Jaime trained for.
Quick steps hurried towards him. "What were you doing with that Tully?" Cersei demanded at his side.
Eyes on the men, Jaime rolled them. "What do you think I was doing? I thought it would be obvious."
Grabbed by the shoulder, Cersei forced him to face her. "I know what she's doing. You should have been by my side, not hers!"
"There's nothing wrong with a nice ride. What's the big crime of joining your host for something harmless you like? Besides," he said, turning away. "Surely you remember how boring I find the wheelhouse?"
"Clearly," she snapped. "Your highlight was the thrice-damned song about that tart."
He shook his head. "Be reasonable, Cersei. It was just a ride. It's not like it matters. Why are you so bothered by something like horseback?" He walked away, and a thought came to him; Cersei was here but not Tyrion. It took him a moment to consider the nursery Tyrion shared with the Tully heir, Edmure.
Within his chamber, Jaime requested a bath prepared before the funeral. Aunt Genna had taught him and Cersei many things about lords, ladies and queens. Most, admittedly, went ignored until their aunt pulled his ear and scolded Cersei before something important at Casterly Rock. Smelling like a horse at a funeral would anger Aunt Genna; she'd set him straight if he dared do that. It would offend the Tullys and Whents too.
His servant needed time, so Jaime searched the castle for the older nursery, and inside it, his little brother played. Lord Tully told Jaime's family the twins were kept separate in a guarded nursery to protect them from falling sick on their first moon.
Jaime entered, and the little lion greeted him with a grin. "Jaime is happy." Jaime picked Tyrion up, who pulled a face. "Horse stink."
"Really?" he asked, pretending not to know. "Do I stink of horse, little brother?"
"Yes," Tyrion said with certainty. "Jaime stink."
Grinning at Tyrion's look of disgust, Jaime mercifully put him back on the floor. "Cersei left you alone?" Jaime always asked these days. Being around Tyrion all the time was impossible.
"Sister no come," the toddler answered happily. "Sansa Tulllee come."
This got his attention; anyone rarely visited his brother in Casterly Rock. "Nice or bad?"
"Nice lady."
Good. She treated Tyrion kindly when we arrived, but it wasn't to gain favour with my aunt and uncle.
"She horse stink too."
Jaime burst out laughing. He glanced at the youngest boy in the room, Edmure, listening to them. "Did you have fun?" he asked Tyrion, hoping his brother's looks hadn't scared the other boy away.
"Tyrion had fun."
Jaime sighed in relief and ruffled Tyrion's hair briefly. "I'll see you later, little brother." Jaime rose and returned to his chambers, where he found the welcome sight of a steaming bath.
Cersei inviting herself into his tub didn't happen much nowadays, but sometimes, she did it to try and wheedle favours out of him. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to hear her nagging in Riverrun. However, she entered his chambers without pause and stripped down to join him.
Not in the mood, Jaime got to the point. "What could you want? We just got here, and the funeral is soon."
His brusque question didn't please her, and neither had he tried. "Less than a day and you're interested in that wench?" she bitterly asked.
He huffed. "If that's all you're here to talk about, then get out. And Sansa Tully? We talked about her dead mother on that ride. Happy?" Cersei's jealousy towards a girl who'd done nothing wrong wore on him.
When Cersei dressed and stormed out, he bathed in peace. Without the sister who kept being a pain in his side, he finished and made his way down to the Great Hall, where the rest of his family stood dressed. None of them had come expecting a funeral, so all of their clothes were red, gold or brown.
Once the Tullys and Whents made their appearance, they led everyone to the battlements. Lord Tully went somewhere else.
