[A/N] - Since many of you asked me about it throughout the story, I found the inspiration and wrote it! An extra chapter/deleted scene of the day Visenya confronted Jaime about killing Aerys, after some little drama to truly build up the scene.
I hope you all enjoy it. Let me know if there is any other scene you might want to see that was mentioned but never truly unfolded in the book.
284 AC - Throne Room, Red Keep - King's Landing, Crownlands - Seat of Power: Robert I Baratheon
It has been a few months ever since the crown prince Rhaegar fell into battle, and his own kingsguard killed King Aerys; Jaime Lannister.
A few months since the Baratheon Stag became the new ruler of Westeros and a few months since Lady Lyanna Stark passed away after childbirth. In those few months, many things changed, and many were forced to bend the knee to their new King or face exile by the Wall.
However, despite that, everyone was invited to King's Landing to celebrate the good news: the union between two powerful and Great houses...
The Lannisters of the Westerlands and the Baratheons of the Lannister would marry a King in less than two days, and she was not the happiest with that arrangement.
Yet she did not show it when the Lannisters showed up in all their Lion Pride in the Throne Room. Everyone wore their most expensive clothes, and the golden lion reflected and reminded everyone of the proud family they came from.
Tywin and Visenya were the main attractions since the former Princess had not stepped foot in King's Landing since her "war crime forgival" after the war.
Yet here she was, supporting her beautiful, good daughter while she walked side by side with her fearsome husband, who a few months ago had children slain as proof of his might and his loyalty to the new King. Tyrion and Trystan had been held back at Casterly with Genna, both young and not need to attend.
After all, even the power couple would depart one day after the wedding, none too keen on sharing a roof with the bloodthirsty stag that wore the crown.
Kevan had also joined, standing right next to Visenya at the front of the rows, the closest to the Throne.
The dragoness had her husband from the other side, and Cersei was at the very end, the closest to the Red carpet leading from the big double doors to the base of the sword-made Throne. A throne that was already smaller since Robert had chosen to remove them, and the Dragon skulls made the Red Keep feel even more foreign to the former Princess raised within the same walls.
The Throne Room was buzzing with life, every known House been present; invited as esteemed guests for the very first union between Lion and Stag.
King Robert sat on the Iron Throne, not seemingly sharing the excitement of the wedding but merely of the big feast he would host, the biggest so far. By his side, Lord Jon Arryn, his trustworthy Hand.
Robert did not bother to stand, but upon lifting his hand, everyone in the room stopped talking and looked at him."It is with great pleasure I announce the marriage between me, The King and Lady Cersei Lannister", he started, his words written for him and merely memorized a few hours prior. "The wedding will take place in two days' time and the feast right after", he continued, a little more enthusiastic, especially after the applause he received from the crowd.
He then stood up, something glowing in his dark eyes as the applause and cheers for the union continued. All this time, he barely glanced at his future bride, his heart still aching for Lyanna Stark, whom he had lost right through his fingers.
Thankfully for him, revenge had been swiftly and nicely served by his hand when he ended the life of the man who dared to steal his betrothed. And now, that cursed family was about to be wiped out for good, for recent news had reached him a few hours prior, and he could not wait to share it.
Once the crowd went silent once again, he smirked faintly, making some of the guests uneasy. "In addition to the wedding, we will celebrate one more great cause," he started. Many guests exchanged looks, but no one truly knew what the second celebration was for. "The former Queen Rhaella is dead!" His voice boomed across the room. "Her dragon-spawned son as well. The era of the cursed Dragon family had officially ended! No more dragons are remaining."
His audience did not fully share his reaction, with few daring to cheer openly. The majority remained quiet, and some dared to whisper between them at the sudden news and the realization of what that meant.
None, not even Robert, truly knew of the two children who had escaped with the cover of the night. Of the two last Dragon kids, who would one day make a difference with the youngest destined to help save the world.
As the news settled in, many stole glances at Visenya, who had been standing at the very front along with the rest of the Lions. Her expression was almost impossible to read, but every muscle in her body felt stiff, reminding some of a statue than a human. She still remembered the dream of her sister's death, and despite expecting it, the news was still heavy, especially considering the circumstances.
She did not recall any dreams about any children, and a part of her tried to hold on to that hope for the sake of her sanity. But reality hit her harder than ever once she realised she was the last Dragon left. No one from her family was truly alive.
The ones she shared common blood with wanted nothing to do with her; one has taken the life of her nephew and the throne from her family's grasp.
Her eyes cast downwards, and her head was lowered faintly at the news, doing her best to offer very noticeable respect to her loved ones who perished...
She could feel the eyes of the world on her, but she did not bend under the pressure, nor did she let any single tear escape despite the shifting emotions threatening to asphyxiate her.
A Princess doesn't cry, she reminded herself.
How many times did she hear those words from her mother and grandmother? How many times did she say those words to Rhaella when the miscarriages got the best of her...Like the Princess she was raised to be, she didn't let a single tear escape or give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her break.
However, it was one pair of eyes that she felt far stronger than the rest, and she knew to whom they belonged. Her gaze was lifted up, and she locked it with Robert's. For a moment, she took notice of just how much he looked like Steffon, and her heart ached, missing her cousin who had perished unfairly and unexpectedly.
Robert might look like Steffon, but the hatred in his eyes was on his own. His dark eyes showed no compassion or care, only hostility and anger.
He did not seem happy, not drawing a better reaction from her, but he would not give up.
"Do you disagree, Lady Lannister?" he asked, putting her right in the centre of attention and emphasizing her last name to try and do the greatest damage.
His attempt was not taken lightly by many individuals in the room; the hardest came from the two Lions in the room: Jaime and Tywin.
The young knight glared openly at the cocky new King, who chose to be petty because a woman chose Visenya's nephew over him. His words were unnecessary, and there was no need to attack Visenya so openly, not after he had cheered by delivering the news of her sister's death.
However, he soon glanced at his good-mother with faint worry, unsure how she would be able to keep the facade and not react to such open mockery.
Tywin's glare was more subtle, but Robert took notice of it either way. The Lion of Casterly's sharp, predatory gaze was hard to dismiss or ignore, for he did not take it lightly to attack his wife like that openly.
Visenya tightened her jaw and took a deep breath, her eyes colder than the Valyrian Steel belonging to her ancestor. She realized what he was doing and what he was trying to accomplish.
Her dominant hand clenched into a fist, a subtle and very small gesture, a desperate need to maintain her professionalism. A few silent but deep breaths were all she needed to ensure she would not let her emotions and thoughts take over.
"No, Your Grace. I do not," she replied without hesitation, not giving him the pleasure of reacting.
Visenya's words earned different expressions, but many of her supporters looked impressed by her calm voice and ability to remain passive. Her head was held high, her gaze sharp, and there was no true sign to indicate she was fighting for control of her emotions.
Tywin focused on her, observing her reaction, and upon hearing her words, his hard gaze turned into pride. Once again, Visenya proved why she was his wife, why she was a dangerous opponent, and why she was perfect like Lady Lannister. Her reply is just enough to sound loyal and not offend the New King, but it is not extreme or fake; it is just a perfectly chosen reply.
Yet that did not mean he was going to forget any time soon the disrespect of a bloodthirsty, spoilt man towards his own relative and his attempt to humiliate her.
Tywin Lannister did not take it lightly when someone tried any attack against his mate, and he would not let it go so easily. For now, he remained quiet, but this... was the beginning of the rookie relationship they would have as the years passed.
Hallways of the Red Keep, King's Landing, Westerlands - A Few Hours Later
A few hours had passed since the incident at the Throne Room, and Visenya's mood had been as sour as the day Tywin suggested the idea of marrying Cersei to Robert.
Speaking of the Lioness, Visenya had just left her room after calming Cersei's temper and giving some advice. She could not do much about the wedding, but she could advise Cersei to see it slightly better because the Red Keep would become her new home from tomorrow night.
Once she was done, she chose to head for her chambers and have some solitude to properly mourn and process everything because she might be the Last Dragon left.
However, she passed a few familiar doors on her way there and remembered Jaime's Chambers were down the same corridor she was currently walking. She realized this might be the only chance for the two of them to talk in private and perhaps share the same roof, for she would not return to the Red Keep sometime soon.
Not while Robert was alive.
The Red Keep was no longer her home, and Robert had made sure of it, reminding her of everything he had changed to fit his style and taste.
Visenya knocked on the wooden door, unsure if she would find him inside at that late hour of the evening, but she did attempt, having nothing to lose.
To her luck, the door was pulled open, and Jaime stood by the room entrance; his armour was gone, but formal clothing was still on, having taken th need for good taste from his father.
"Good-Mother", he greeted her, partially surprised by her visit.
However, he expected her to approach him one way or another. Ever since the crowning ceremony of Robert, the two of them barely had any time to talk since she had departed for Casterly Rock the following morning.
They had only looked at one another, and no words had been exchanged. Tywin kept her close, and Jaime did not dare to approach her; the feeling of Aerys' blood was still warm in his hands despite how hard he tried to clean it.
"Jaime", she greeted him back. "Mind if I come in for a moment?"
He nodded and took a big step to the side, allowing her to enter the familiar chambers the young Lion had from the time Aerys was ruling. She glanced at it momentarily but then turned her body and focused fully on her good-son.
Jaime closed the door to ensure they had some privacy and turned to face her, daring to take a few steps closer but keeping some distance. He was hesitant about approaching her, fearing how she might react.
"How are you, good mother?" he asked, remembering the tough moment at the Throne Room not so long ago.
"I will be fine," she dismissed his worry. Her face was serious, but her eyes seemed tired, something Jaime had noticed. "I would like to ask you something," she said, stepping closer.
"It is about Aerys, isn't it?" he swallowed hard, not holding her gaze for long.
Visenya nodded faintly as she waited. She realized it might not be the easiest thing for him to talk about, but she wished to know so she could have a better idea of what had happened that day. Whatever Aerys had done, he was still her brother, and once upon a time, their relationship was not that cold.
Once upon a time, they were descent siblings to one another, and if things had been different, they would not have become strangers by the time they reached adulthood.
Jaime did not start immediately, finding the words stuck in his throat. He really thought of lying or concealing most of the truth to make himself look less like the monster he was, but then he realized he couldn't.
Visenya had lost all of her family, and just a few hours ago, she was publicly declared the last dragon and not even acknowledged as that. She just wished to know why her brother was murdered by her stepson and find some closure at least.
Defeated, the Lion let out a heavy sigh and started to explain everything.
He spoke of the wildfire and Rossart, of the plan to blow up almost the whole city when the Lannisters entered through the open gates, of Aerys' orders, and even his attempt to finish the job when Jaime killed Rossart.
When he was done narrating, his head was lowered, and he did not dare to look at her. For a moment, he felt the warm blood of Aerys still on his hands and body, the cold violet eyes staring back at him as his body lay on the floor, a pool of blood forming around him.
Jaime had acted on instinct that day and personal vendetta, doing what he thought was right, but sometimes, he regretted his actions.
He did not need to stab Aerys in the back when he could have easily tackled him to the ground. After all, the former King was weak and skinny, an easy target to take down. Or he could leave him with the sword in his back, perhaps earn some time until someone saved him from dying.
He did not have to slice Aerys' neck after injuring him, and yet he did.
Jaime was lost in his thoughts and self-guilt, passively awaiting a harsh response from Visenya. She had every right to hate him, smack him, curse him, or just get up and leave, and he would not blame her if she reacted that way.
To his surprise, he felt strong arms around his body and being pulled into a hug.
Visenya had pulled him closer and placed one hand behind his head, pressing his head against her shoulder while the other kept him close. Her moves were motherly and tender, not what he had expected.
Yet, upon sensing that warm embrace he had long missed, he closed his eyes tightly and hugged back, careful not to overdo and harm her.
"It is okay, Jaime. It is okay," she cooed him as if he were again a little boy. "You did what you had to do, and it was the right thing to do", she continued, and he felt the need to argue but found no words to do so, his mind blank as her voice bypassed all of his defences and raised walls. "It was the bravest thing a man could ever do, and you saved everyone, taking the risk of being called a Kingslayer in the process. And know this... I would have done the same if it meant saving the city."
In the end, Jaime managed to pull back, but he did not fully release her. His beautiful green eyes were tired, and his emotions were being held back by sheer will and years of having Tywin as his father, telling him to man up.
"You would have done the same? He was your brother," he argued, his voice a mere whisper as he tried to understand her words.
"My brother was long gone by the time of the war. Madness had overtaken his mind over his heart and soul," she explained, freeing her hand and gently cupping his cheek. "What you did is not something anyone could do. I am proud of you for doing the most selfless thing in the world... and I am proud that you are my son, even if not by blood. My brave Lion."
Jaime swallowed slowly, feeling his throat dry and his breathing changing. He was slowly losing the fight with his emotions. When was he last hearing someone call him brave and not kingslayer? Saying they were proud of him?
He placed his hand on top of hers and leaned faintly, feeling the warmth of her skin, a sense that always comforted him when he was younger. He had no words to say, but there was no need, for gratitude was glowing in his emerald eyes. He was forever thankful for Visenya's gentle heart, which did not push him away when he truly needed someone by his side.
[A/N] - And... curtain! I know it took quite a while to post this little extra, but it feels good. I will not lie; I have missed writing about such moments and complexity in this book.
I do hope you guys enjoyed it and that it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think! And, of course, if there are any other scenes or moments you would like me to write as Extras.
Don't forget to also check the AU sequel of the Shadow Queen in my profile (Where we follow our heroes through a journey where Rhaegar is King and Visenya never got injured. Where Rhaella and Ellia are alive, and there are plenty of next-generation characters to explore and see)