JAIME LANNISTER
Day 21, 12th Moon, 275 AC
His back was warm while sunlight ahead lit Jaime's way; hooves drummed beneath and behind him while grass and trees flew past. Jaime glanced over his shoulder and grinned at the determined smile on her face. "Come on, Sansa!"
A short laugh was just loud enough over their racing horses. "You sound like I'm behind every morning!"
Jaime grinned and kept going. The crest before Riverrun was nearing, and the agreed spot to slow to a canter drew close. A minute or two and his horse, Ser Brynden's charger, a warhorse, started to walk the remaining length to Riverrun with its harsh breath slowing down.
A grey palfrey appeared beside him, and Sansa chuckled from its saddle, her chest huffing like Jaime's. She swallowed and took a slow breath. "It's going to be strange riding every day without a companion," she said and relaxed the reins of her horse.
Jaime grimaced at Riverrun and gave Sansa a nod. Inside that castle stood a Lannister wheelhouse he'd have to share with Cersei for a fortnight again. It sat in the courtyard and in his face every morning for ten days.
She took a big breath and let it out. "I imagine the negotiations will come to an end soon." Sansa glanced his way and frowned. "What is it, Jaime?"
"The wheelhouse." He met her gaze and waved a hand towards Riverrun. "Two weeks with Cersei in it," Jaime said and shook his head, tilted skyward. "Torture for half a moon."
There was no reply, so he turned, and Sansa had a lip between her teeth. She met his eyes with a nice smile. "You love riding. So it's easy to understand your dislike for the wheelhouse," she said, bringing her horse to a stop, and Jaime did the same. "On our first ride, you seemed to dislike your sister, but now even more so?" Sansa said rhetorically, paying full attention to him. "I pray it wasn't something my family has caused?"
The castle was in sight, and he frowned. From the corner of his eye, Sansa seemed worried. "It's not," Jaime said. "It's not their fault." Slouching in the saddle, the Lannister heir let out a breath and gave her a quick smile. "You're a good friend, Sansa. You're kind, even to my brother when he's alone," Jaime confided, but the reason for his dread returned.
She licked her lips. "But?"
"Cersei hates us being friends," he told her. "But she won't stop me."
Sansa should know Cersei's hate didn't mean he would push Sansa away, but he dreaded saying goodbye and returning home. Without her around to make him forget about Cersei's bitter pursuit, Jaime would wish he was in the Seven Hells. Ever since the bet with Prince Oberyn, Cersei had turned relentless in her attempts to find faults and tear Sansa down as unworthy.
She lifted a hand from her saddlehorn, and it hovered there. Then, she lowered it and released a breath.
After meeting his eyes, her uncertainty melted away. "I'm glad we're friends, Jaime. And I pray that distance won't be an obstacle for us. Riverrun and Casterly Rock," she replied with a sure smile. "As for Tyrion, I treat people by their deeds, and he is delightful. Nearly three, I believe."
He smiled and paused when he thought about those nameless letters. "Would you write?" he suggested, surprising Sansa. "It's nothing like horseback, but will you if I do?" They could still be friends using ravens.
Sansa blinked at his question and, a moment later, looked as though she had realised something. She gave a sure nod. "I will write to you. But as 'Sansa' to 'Jaime'," she said, a smile grew while her eyes seemed bright. "Not the children of Hoster Tully and Tywin Lannister."
Her answer wasn't formal, but two people with their titles forgotten. He had longed for a friendship like that. Jaime gaped, but when he saw her mild amusement, he closed his mouth, slightly embarrassed. "How- how did you know?"
She adjusted the hold of her reins, smiling. "That a name has power? Or your lack of desire for it?" she asked, eyes on him.
That left him mentally stumbling for an answer, but Jaime made a quick decision. "Well, both, I suppose," he admitted quietly. "Everyone wants to know the Heir of Casterly Rock, but they're never interested in just me," Jaime explained. People talked to him about the happenings of House Lannister, but not him. "Just Jaime."
The understanding expression sent his way which made Jaime curious. She quirked a smile. "I can relate; more than you mayhaps think, Jaime," Sansa said, eyes on something beyond the castle but dropped to the reins in her lap. It seemed like she had a story to tell, so he didn't speak.
"In Harrenhal, it was the only reason someone other than my healer and relatives would interact with me," she shared and looked his way. "It wasn't my personality or something that made me 'Sansa'. It was Tully." She looked at him, urged her horse into a trot, and he followed.
She glanced his way. "They wanted the prestige and power that my Great House name included. They wanted Sansa Tully, so I would benefit them in the future if I survived."
So much of that explanation rang true to Jaime. The circumstances were really different from his, but what happened in their lives was similar. Be friends with Jaime Lannister. Please and receive favours from Jaime Lannister. Become involved with House Lannister. It was never about Jaime.
Who was the last person, aside from Sansa, interested in the person I am? My likes, hates, strengths and weaknesses?
Sansa straightened in her saddle, and Jaime waited for more. If a girl wasn't Cersei, they liked to talk when upset.
She sighed. "No one except family cared that I suffered when my health struggled half the time. No one cared how pained I was from not seeing my siblings and parents...my mother. No one who wasn't a Whent or Father cared how I was abed often enough to converse in and read High Valyrian," she spoke with restraint and sadness. Jaime would have ranted with anger about those things. "They only cared that I am Hoster Tully's daughter."
Part of her explanation caught his interest. "You can speak High Valyrian?" he asked, wondering why she would choose such a thing. "What made you want to?"
Sansa smiled at the question. "I can. It's a Whent tradition to learn it. Mother knew it, but Grandmother taught me."
Action and swords were his forte, so learning High Valyrian surprised him. "But no one was interested?"
"You understand?" she asked. Jaime nodded. "No one was interested. Tully was all they cared about," Sansa said. Soon after, she appeared to have shaken off an invisible cloud around her. The stiffness in her posture melted away, her face softened, and her hands holding the reins looser. "I considered it likely the heir of Tywin Lannister would be in a similar position to me; the name, not the person."
To have found someone who understood his problem so thoroughly about having no real friends made Jaime's guard come up. He didn't want to be disappointed. "This isn't a trick?"
She shook her head. "No, Jaime. It isn't," Sansa reassured with that look of understanding again. "I want to be your friend for the sake of friends, not power or prestige."
Letting out a breath, Jaime glanced back over at her and saw the little nod from her. He couldn't believe it and smiled.
The boys in Lannisport constantly desired something from him, and he now knew why they were always doing what he liked best, mischievous or otherwise. They wanted to use his name for power, and now he rode a horse next to someone who knew what exactly it meant to belong to a Great House but without true friends.
She knew what it was like. And wanted to be his friend. A real one. He couldn't keep the grin off his face.
"Sansa and Jaime, then," he agreed, and Sansa smiled softly. "To the Seven Hells with House names," Jaime added enthusiastically.
Sansa started laughing in her saddle. "Never would I have guessed you would say that, but let's keep it between us." Taking the slack out of her reins, Sansa made herself poised to race. "A race back to celebrate?" she asked, bright with happiness but dignified.
He muffled a snort. "Why, by the gods, would I say no to that?" Preparing for the race took little time, so he looked at her. "On three?"
Sansa chuckled, shaking her head. She gestured to a descending bird. "When that bird lands, we go," she countered, tilting her head slightly. "I fell for 'three' once before."
The memory of their first ride made him laugh; he deserved that. They waited for the bird to reach its tree.
Their horses charged the downward slope towards Riverrun until one hundred paces from the drawbridge. Slowing to a canter and thundering across the bridge, Jaime and Sansa entered almost in unison, but Jaime had won by a hair. Trotting over to the stables and surrendering the horses, the pair re-entered the keep together, smiling. When he looked at Sansa before she was due to take a corner, her happiness vanished.
"Sansa? What's wrong?"
"Listen."
Watching as she turned a different corner, Jaime followed her, and a voice he knew reached him. Cersei's voice.
"-a few words? Your mother was weak if she couldn't live to see her sons."
Rounding another corner, Jaime witnessed Sansa's back go stiff at those words while she strode towards Cersei and Lady Catelyn. Without inflexion, Sansa interrupted the argument. "Good morrow, Lady Cersei." Both girls jumped and turned to Sansa. "Or mayhaps not so, since the late Lady Joanna was insulted by the words of her own daughter," Sansa pointed out.
Jaime didn't quite grasp how his mother was insulted, but Cersei certainly seemed to. Sansa never took her eyes off of Cersei but gestured with a hand for Lady Catelyn to leave, who briefly squeezed Sansa's wrist and fled. Sansa spoke again. "For Lady Joanna's sake, I advise you to revoke those words," she said, calm and low.
Day after day, he'd heard Cersei offend Sansa but was not getting a response. She reached her tipping point today and could not ignore the words concerning her mother anymore.
He wasn't about to leave her to face Cersei alone like this. What friend would I be?
Walking up to Sansa's side, he squeezed her hand to let her know he was there for her. But that just angered his sister.
"You little cunt!" she roared at Sansa. Jaime saw Cersei's intention and jumped in the way.
"Jaime!" Sansa cried from above him. "Ahhh!" she yelped.
"Get away from him, whore!" snarled Cersei.
"GUARDS!" shouted Sansa.
Pounding feet neared them.
Gods, my head hurts…
SANSA STARK
Into the wild eyes of Cersei, Sansa stared with patience while the guards restrained the girl by the shoulders; three men stood unoccupied.
The superior guard spoke for the rest and held Cersei back with the unneeded help of a second man. "Your command, Lady Regent?"
Hold her still while I do Westeros a favour and slit her throat with Lady Daena's dagger?...if only…
"The Great Hall. Restrain her there with the option of a seat. See this done immediately," Sansa instructed, using the mind and mask of Lady of Winterfell. Cersei's angered voice faded while the guards took her away.
On the floor, Jaime groaned, but she didn't need the reminder.
"You three," she addressed the remaining guards and gestured to the left one. "Please locate Maester Kym and bring him here." She turned to the middle guard. "You will find the Lady and Sir Lannister and lead them to the Great Hall. On your way, tell the first servant you see to immediately bring my grandparents there. See it done. As for you, alert Lord Tully. He's needed there, so express urgency," she rattled off calmly. The men hurried away, taking different turns.
Spinning around, Sansa dropped to her knees and looked into Jaime's hazy eyes. "Jaime?" she murmured and looked at his state. "Jaime, are you awake?"
"I'm sorry Cersei hurt you, Sansa. You looked as if you've been a Lady Regent your whole life," he muttered from the stone floor.
In a way, I have. Towards the end, at Winterfell, it was an endless loop of duties and orders.
Sansa shook off the memories and focused on the boy before her. "You're coherent, good. Jaime. Does your head feel wet? Bleeding?" she asked, calm but thinking quickly. The ground floor was stone, after all.
"No. Just sore," he replied, moving to sit up. Helping him, she exhaled when he looked at her own face. His eyes slowly grew clearer. "Why are you so calm? And what did you mean to Cersei about my mother?"
The young Jaime Lannister rested against the wall and looked at her. The incident between Cersei, Catelyn and Sansa and how she dealt with it might have changed his mind about friendship.
She swallowed. Sansa hadn't needed to be stern and commanding like the Lady of a House during his visit until now. "Jaime, if I hadn't taken control, there would be one large confusing disaster between Houses. Clarity is essential for this to be resolved quickly," she whispered.
Her gaze on her knees briefly, Sansa answered the second question. "Cersei told Catelyn that my mother was weak for not surviving childbed. She unwittingly called Lady Joanna, a weak woman. Your mother doesn't deserve such disrespect," Sansa said, praying he would believe her. "I defended both of our mothers and tried to stop Cersei from harassing Catelyn," she reassured, watching his reaction; a little nod.
He appeared to be looking at her carefully. "So what you said wasn't revenge?"
"It wasn't an insult to your mother, Jaime. I wouldn't speak ill of my friend's deceased mother," Sansa promised. She should have expected the suspicion, considering all the false friends he'd mentioned. "It's petty to speak ill of the dead in such a way."
Jaime sat quietly, his expression relaxed after a moment. "I believe you."
Sansa smiled and released a breath she'd unknowingly held. "Thank you, Jaime."
Staring at her in confusion, Jaime met her eyes. "What for?"
"For protecting me," she said and turned solemn as her main concern came forth. "I feared you would hate me for standing up to Cersei, being the Lady Regent and giving those orders."
"No." He lifted a hand to his head and winced. "You weren't doing anything wrong. I do still think of you as a friend, Sansa."
He mayhaps thought well of her now, but Sansa's past life taught her that everything had a price. "Do you believe you can still consider me a friend when we go to the Great Hall?" she asked nervously. She could be stoic in front of enemies, but he wasn't one. "Like Catelyn, my duty as Lady Regent is to explain what happened. And the outcome…Jaime, she broke Guest Right. Our families will be angered by this."
He nodded and winced. "I know. I jumped in front of you to stop Cersei from breaking it," he plainly told Sansa and got to his feet with her help. Something changed in Jaime when his eyes focused on her face. "Why are you so worried? This was Cersei, not you."
She helped him onto a bench. "I didn't pretend to be another person around you. Duty demanded I managed the situation," she said, watching his calm eyes observe her. The silence was unnerving. "I swear there was no duplicity during our rides or with Tyrion. It wasn't a trick," she promised, eyes flitting around his face for any signs of anger or disbelief.
Jaime took her hand, the action stilling Sansa from speaking her concerns. "Sansa," he said. "I saw Aunt Genna handle Cersei after what she did in Lannisport. Do I hate her? No. Do I still like Aunt Genna? Yes." Jaime's words made Sansa feel she was the one with a child's mind in this conversation. "There was a problem you needed to fix. This is like Lannisport and Aunt Genna. I don't hate Aunt Genna, and I don't hate you. Stop worrying."
Sansa glanced down at their hands, and he squeezed hers. She looked up and saw his eyes.
"We. Are. Friends," he stressed, a slight shine of amusement before he became serious. "Cersei still struck you, Sansa. Are you alright?"
She made to find a reflection, but at a lord's hurried steps, she turned towards it.
Grandfather gasped and nearly ran. "Sansa!" he cried and dashed to her side. "What happened? Catelyn said Lady Cersei was insulting your mother, not striking you," he asked, lightly brushing his fingers along Sansa's sore cheek.
"She struck after Cat left, Grandfather, so she couldn't have known about it," she explained and sighed. "Jaime jumped in the way to protect me as best he could, so please don't lay any blame at his feet. He didn't wrong me or our family, Grandfather."
He nodded and pecked her forehead, pulling out a handkerchief as he turned her head towards the sunlight. "Hold still, Granddaughter, and grab my shoulder if your scratches sting. It's best I clean you up before we seek Lady Genna and Ser Kevan to address this matter."
Nodding, she looked for her reflection in the glass and suppressed an instinctive wince.
She was a bit of a sight; a pinking bruise and three thin lines of crusted blood on one cheek. Jaime was worse yet similar.
"Young lordling, sit and let your aches abate before I sort you out," he softly instructed Jaime and pressed his handkerchief to Sansa's cheek, which made her twitch at the sting.
"Yes, Lord Whent."
With a quick smile, Grandfather spoke again. "Young man, check your head and tell me if it's wet."
"It's dry, Ser."
Sansa relaxed at that good news, and Grandfather smiled a little. "Good. No need for a maester then," he said, pecked Sansa's forehead, and then moved to Jaime. "Wait here, Sansa. I suppose you've organised for the families to meet somewhere?"
"I did. They all should be in the Great Hall soon."
"Best we don't tarry then," he remarked. Offering his hand, Jaime took it and stood up. "Let's go, you two," Grandfather said and led the way.
Jaime held his arm out for her to take, and she chuckled, looping hers through it as they walked. "How chivalrous of you, Ser Jaime," she whispered.
Jaime laughed and looked at her in surprise. "A jape, Sansa? I expected you'd be crying," he admitted. Ahead of them, Grandfather lightly shook his head but kept walking.
Meeting Jaime's eyes for a moment, Sansa recalled something. "It's either laugh or cry in some matters," she said, lifting a hand to her cheek, still tender, but the sting barely distracted her. "Besides, it's a mere bruise, hardly worthy of tears."
Near the Great Hall came voices from within, and Jaime seemed to brace himself for what awaited them. Sansa relaxed, though. She remembered her times in the Throne Room of King's Landing. This didn't compare.
What exactly had Cersei done in Lannisport? All I'm aware of is she embarrassed the Lannisters.
Entering the hall, Jaime's arm dropped from hers to his side, which she considered appropriate for this. When her father noticed her entry, Sansa saw the gasp he didn't bother to stifle. Everyone else turned around at the sound and echoed it, particularly Grandmother, who came over and cupped her shoulders.
Father walked down to her and looked at her carefully; his hand barely touched the bruise. "Sansa…" he murmured. The following words were more to himself than anyone. "No one strikes my daughter."
Sansa was more than prepared to carry out the proceeding. However, Father directed her and Jaime to sit and took the lead himself, standing in front of the Lannisters.
"I have been tolerant of your niece since her arrival, but this step is too far," Father told Lady Genna and Ser Kevan, voice echoing within the hall. "Ignorant at my wife's funeral, I chose not to act. Breaking the peace repeatedly during the week for my family to mourn; recompense within the trade agreement on the terms your niece ceased harassing my children," he reminded them, anger seeping from his tone.
Father looked her way and exhaled soundly.
"Now, Guest Right?" Father all but shouted. "I see at least your nephew had the sense to attempt preventing it. Had he not, I would direct you to the Reach for your grain and damn the loss of trade for the Riverlands without a second thought!" At his heavy pause, no one dared to interrupt. "I will accommodate Cersei Lannister no longer," Father decreed in his anger. "The day is early, and House Lannister shall leave. Accept my trade proposal as the agreement stood yesterday or nothing. Haggle with Olenna Tyrell for all I care. House Lannister has overstayed its welcome."
Ser Kevan and Lady Genna shared a look, which gave Sansa a poor feeling if she didn't do something. It wouldn't help her family if things continued this way.
When she slowly rose to her feet, Father faltered and turned to her. "Sansa? Do you need a maester?"
"I wouldn't say a maester, Lord Father." Meeting his eye, Sansa employed her experience in diplomacy. "May we have a brief word in private?" she requested with the eyes of the elder Lannisters undoubtedly on her back. "Quite brief," she added, more to placate the Lannisters' wounded pride than her angry father.
"Brief," Father conceded and led her into a nearby chamber. "Sansa," he said slowly, taking her into a gentle hug and planting his lips on her forehead. "The injuries and guards speak for themselves; what could you possibly have to add?"
Glad Father's love for her simmered his temper, Sansa gave a squeeze and pulled back from the hug. "Dismissing the Lannisters is in our rights, but do you want the consequences?" she asked, watching her father. "Dismiss them like this, and Tywin Lannister will interpret this as a slight, regardless of Lady Cersei's actions."
Father sighed and placed a hand on each of her shoulders. The mention of the Lannisters made Father's eyes turn stormy. "Cersei Lannister struck you, my daughter, and a breach of Guest Right. I won't have that girl in Riverrun, Sansa. She is leaving one way or another."
"I know, and I'd be glad for it, Father. However, to punish all of the Lannisters for the actions of one undisciplined girl will strain relations between Houses. Lady Cersei is the problem. Mayhaps send her with one of her relatives instead of the entire family," she suggested, trying to protect her family from itself. "Jaime genuinely tried to stop her, but he got hurt by it. Dismissing all Lannisters immediately could negatively affect us in the future; we need peace with the Westerlands."
Her father thumbed her shoulders while looking into her eyes with deep contemplation. "I won't allow this incident to go ignored, but you seem to have an idea, daughter."
Relieved he'd calmed enough to listen, Sansa exhaled and nodded. "I do. They need to see we won't tolerate disrespect. Your trade ultimatum of accepting or rejecting trade as it stands would be punishment enough, Father," Sansa said, watching his reactions.
He said nothing but watched her.
She continued. "The Reach has a reputation for plentiful quality. Lady Olenna will exploit this and make her goods more costly, especially for the richest House of Westeros. If the Lannisters refuse your trade proposal, it will cost them time with the Tyrells and additional gold for their usual quantity of food, too."
Father blinked at her reasoning and adjusted himself in his seat. "I'm surprised by your depth, Sansa, but for what purpose would Ser Kevan and his nephews remain? Negotiating a trade agreement was the sole reason for the Lannisters' presence."
Glad her father showed signs of considering her suggestion, she continued on. "If Ser Kevan is given the choice of leaving at a time of his own choosing, it's unlikely he'll remark poorly of us to Lord Tywin, even if he decides to leave today. However, Lord Jaime protected me from his sister's first attempt, Father. He was injured more than I was. That mustn't go unacknowledged. Jaime needs rest."
GENNA LANNISTER
In the Great Hall of the Tullys' castle, aware of the Whents' furious scowls, particularly Lady Whent's, Genna glared at her niece while Hoster Tully was with his daughter. Cersei turned increasingly troublesome since the name Sansa Tully was uttered in Casterly Rock and Lannisport.
When the foolish girl began to hurl cruel words towards the smallfolk to the point that she developed a reputation, Tywin limited Cersei to the Rock so her absence among the smallfolk would hopefully lead to his daughter's damage fading with time. However, Cersei turned her jealousy onto the servants who'd dare to utter a whisper about Sansa Tully.
Ever since their arrival, Cersei had offended the Tullys and Whents to the point that it impacted the trade agreement. The entire purpose of travelling to Riverrun was to create cheaper trade than their current one with The Reach, a rather costly food supplier.
Cersei, the stupid girl, had ignored the need to give their hosts peace for a week while they mourned their late daughter, mother and wife. Instead, she decidedly harassed the twin daughters to the point that Hoster Tully demanded recompense for breaking the negotiated silence period for mourning. Unable to offer anything except for gold or goods, Genna chose leniency concerning the price they were willing to pay for the quantity of food.
Yesterday, Genna knew she was getting closer to a price that would satisfy Tywin and Lord Tully.
Now, she had the ultimatum of accepting a price higher than desirable or no agreement.
What, by the old gods and the new, compelled my niece to break Guest Right? I'd send her to the silent sisters and be done with her if she was my daughter.
At the opening of a door, Hoster Tully returned to the Great Hall with his second daughter close behind.
The girl obeyed her father's gesture of taking a seat, and Lady Whent possessively yet gently held the child's shoulders. Genna turned her attention to the Lord of Riverrun.
He momentarily looked at her nephew and focused on Genna and her brother. "It has been brought to my attention that your nephew was knocked onto the stone of the ground floor. In good conscience, I won't dismiss him from Riverrun until he is recovered and fit for travel. Until such time, he shall remain here but not without family members. Your niece, on the other hand, will leave today in the company of either of her guardians, Lady Genna, Ser Kevan."
If I can't have the agreement we wanted, mayhaps I can knock much-wanted sense into the girl.
A step forward, Genna looked at Cersei once and met the smouldering eyes of Hoster Tully. "I shall be the one, Lord Tully," she informed those in the hall. "My apology for Cersei's shameful act cannot be put into words. I'll prepare for travel immediately after this discussion."
The quick cooperation appeared to calm Lord Hoster somewhat, and he nodded at somebody behind the group. "Appreciated, Lady Genna," he said with lingering anger. "And what's your decision concerning trade with the Riverlands?"
From her brother, Genna received a nod and turned to Lord Hoster. "House Lannister shall accept the terms of the trade agreement as it stood yesterday, Lord Tully."
"Good. A handmaiden has been sent to pack your belongings, Lady Genna. Final documents for the agreement will be drawn before breaking of fast today," Lord Hoster informed them and proceeded towards the doors. "At such time, your wheelhouse will be ready for you once you've eaten."
And he was gone.
For that, Genna couldn't blame him. Tywin would have turned livid if Cersei was struck by a guest at Casterly Rock.
Turning towards the remaining Tully in the hall, Genna observed Lady Sansa, whose grandmother stroked her tresses, while the girl sat beside Jaime as the Tully maester evaluated him. Jaime flinched when the man assessed his head. Lady Sansa made one interesting trout, and Genna recognised wits when she saw them. And a child raised by Shella Whent, Wings of Wit herself, would inarguably know how to navigate the dangerous fog of politics.
The girl's father had been on the edge of sending the entire House away when Sansa Tully asked for a brief word. Roughly five minutes afterwards, they returned with one change to Hoster Tully's decision.
Only Cersei left with a guardian, while the rest stayed.
Lady Sansa had been aware of what almost happened. The girl's attentive body language stiffened when Hoster's fury made itself known in his words. Lady Sansa was far more relaxed now but still concerned for Jaime, talking with him in low tones Genna couldn't hear.
I've seen the way she handles herself. Unlike her older twin sister, she is not one to rise to the bait.
She turned her eyes to Cersei, the cause of many recent issues, and Genna led the idiot to an unused chamber in the guest wing. Surprisingly, Jaime entered the chamber and sat by the window. "Nephew, are you well?"
"The maester says the stone didn't damage my skull, but I will need to be abed for a little while before returning to Casterly Rock," Jaime explained. He hadn't sounded too bothered by the news. "He said no travel for half a moon. Lord Tully plans to lend the wheelhouse for me to go back." This time, the boy sounded content. Interesting…
Cersei scowled at the news. …your turn, Cersei.
"Cersei," Genna spoke with undeniable disappointment. "You were to learn the importance of trade by coming here. Instead, I have to tell your father about your despicable behaviour? The funeral. The week of mourning. STRIKING. YOUR. HOST!" Genna shook with fury. "Your father will not stand for these displays! Have you no respect towards yourself and your House? You will be by my side until we return to Casterly Rock. When your father has returned from the capital, you will remain by my side. If you must be treated like a child, then so be it, Cersei!"
Genna gestured for Jaime to leave. After what he'd done to protect his family from humiliation at Cersei's hand, he didn't deserve to witness this.
On the bed's end, Cersei stared wide-eyed. Genna had never shouted like this, but she wasn't done yet. "If you took one moment to think about the consequences of what you do, Cersei, you'd realise just what you've done to this family! House Lannister will be called a jape behind our backs. If the song about your jealousy of Sansa Tully's beauty wasn't bad enough, another would be one about Lannisters breaking the laws of Guest Right!"
Genna stayed silent with her niece for the rest of the morning unless something was necessary. The girl seemed more upset about Jaime staying behind than her actions' humiliating impact on House Lannister.
Genna broke her fast in silence with her brother and niece in a separate chamber from the Great Hall. Like Genna, Kevan spoke no word and signed the trade documents for Hoster Tully while the copy for Tywin with Lord Hoster's signature and seal was packed within a satchel.
Little noise filled the courtyard when she directed Cersei into the wheelhouse before giving Kevan a nod of farewell, carrying the trade document for Tywin, and climbing in herself. The second she closed the door, the wheelhouse departed with half the original escort.
Inside, Cersei moped and looked back towards Riverrun's keep. Genna sighed. By the gods, Tywin. If your daughter doesn't cease embarrassing our House and learn expected sensibilities, I WILL send the stupid girl to the silent sisters!