Chapter 7

"Good morning, Kingslayer!" a cheerful voice said.

Jaime felt like he wouldn't have really slept at all, but apparently, he had been asleep. The sudden noise startled him, his eyes flying open immediately. One of his guards was standing in front of him, smirking. Despite being kept caged and chained to a post, Jaime had never shown his captors any weakness or fear. He knew that Robb Stark wouldn't kill him as long as his family had the Stark girls.

"Breakfast time," the guard continued, still smirking. He seemed to be in a very good mood. Jaime didn't like that at all. He had a very bad feeling, but he didn't show it. He simply took the flagon the guard was handing him and drank. He had noticed that there had been a lot of movement in the camp yesterday, but no one had told him what was going on. A couple of men had poorly imitated a moaning woman as they had walked past the cage, but Jaime had assumed that they were mocking him for his forced celibacy. He had simply ignored them.

"Thank you," he stated as carelessly as he could as the guard gave him some bread.

"You're welcome," the guard replied cheerfully. "So, did you hear the news already?"

Now Jaime was sure that something was wrong.

"What news?" he asked, still managing to sound careless.

The guard's smirk grew wider.

"Oh, you haven't heard? We caught your sister."

In that moment Jaime felt like his heart would stop. Cersei… No, no, no… He was struggling to pull himself together and clearly the guard was enjoying his despair.

"Is she here?" Jaime asked, forcing his voice to sound steady.

"Oh yes," the guard replied smirking. "She spent last night in the King's tent."

"What?" Jaime snapped before he managed to control himself. If that bastard had harmed a hair on Cersei's head…

"I'm surprised that you didn't hear how she moaned," the guard continued. "Lucky girl had a taste of a real man."

Jaime clenched his fists; he would kill Robb Stark for this. He would find a way, no matter what it took. Apparently, the Stark boy was the same kind of animal as many other men. The strange thing was that Jaime hadn't thought he was the kind of man who would rape women. Personally, Jaime couldn't stand that kind of men. Only a pathetic coward would force himself on a woman. Robb Stark had done that to Cersei… Death would be too kind a punishment for him. But first things first, Jaime needed to see Cersei.

"Could you tell Lord Stark that I need to speak to him?" Jaime managed to say.

"That's "His Grace"," the guard replied. "You are speaking of the King."

"Fine," Jaime hissed, struggling to control himself. "Could you tell "His Grace" that I need to speak to him?"

"Maybe," the guard replied grinning and marched out of the cage.

After that Jaime waited. And waited. He didn't know if the guard had even given his message to the Stark boy and even if he had, would "His Grace" simply ignore it.

"Hey!" Jaime shouted after he couldn't take any more waiting. "I need to talk to Robb Stark!"

There were men near the cage, but they didn't pay any attention to Jaime.

"Could someone tell Robb Stark that I need to talk to him!"

He still didn't get any answer.

"Hey! This is important! I must speak to…"

He didn't finish his sentence when the Stark boy's wolf appeared next to the cage. For once, Jaime was actually glad to see the damn beast. Its master was never far behind. Jaime's eyes narrowed when he saw Robb Stark.

"What is it?" the Stark boy asked and crossed his arms.

Jaime struggled to stay calm. He had to, for Cersei.

"I heard that my sister is here."

"Yes, she is," Robb Stark replied carelessly.

"May I see her?"

"Why?"

Jaime gritted his teeth; he didn't think he could control himself for much longer.

"She is my sister; I would like to speak to her. You are a brother as well…Your Grace, so surely you can understand."

Robb Stark looked surprised for a brief moment, but his surprise was quickly replaced by amusement. Jaime wanted desperately to kill him, but this wasn't the time. Right now, he needed to concentrate on Cersei.

"Alright, perhaps I can arrange that," the Stark boy stated and told one of his men to bring Lady Lannister here. The wait felt unbearable to Jaime, but he was also afraid of what he would see. How badly had the Stark boy hurt Cersei? She was strong, but could she handle this? How could Jaime protect her? He had to find a way, he had to…

Serafina. Jaime was completely stunned when he saw his younger sister. As ashamed as he was to admit it, he was relieved for a very brief moment. Relieved? His innocent maiden sister who hadn't even celebrated her 18th nameday yet had been raped last night and he was relieved? What kind of man was he? He had only thought about Cersei, he had forgotten all about Serafina. At least she was walking and there didn't seem to be any visible bruises.

"What's the meaning of this?" he managed to ask after getting over his shock.

"Your sister," Robb said, his tone mocking. "You asked to see her. Here she is."

Jaime's mind raced. He needed to protect Serafina.

"Jaime," she said and touched the bars of the cage. He saw the concern and the distress in her eyes and felt even more ashamed.

"Hello, sister," he murmured, struggling to sound calm.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He nodded.

"And you?"

"Yes, I am fine," she replied.

Jaime pressed his lips together and glanced at Robb Stark. Obviously, she didn't want to tell Jaime what had happened, especially when the man who had hurt her was standing right there.

"I have been treated well," she said calmly and looked at Robb Stark.

He met her gaze with an inscrutable expression. Jaime felt a surge of anger and helplessness. His sister was trying to protect him, to reassure him, but he could see through her brave facade. He knew the terror she must have felt and the courage it took to stand there and lie for their captor.

"Is that so?" Jaime said, his voice hardening. He looked back at Robb. "What do you want with her, Stark? Why drag her into this war between our families?"

Robb's expression didn't change. "Your sister is my guest here, Kingslayer."

"Guest?" Jaime repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that what you call keeping an innocent girl in your tent?"

Robb's eyes flickered with a brief flash of anger. "Careful, Lannister. Your position is not one of strength here."

Jaime clenched his fists around the bars, struggling to maintain his composure. He had to find a way to protect Serafina, to get her out of this hell. But for now, he was at the mercy of the Stark boy.

"Serafina," he said, his voice softer. "Be strong. We'll find a way out of this."

She nodded; her eyes filled with concern for him despite her fear. "I will, Jaime."

"Time's up," Robb said, motioning to his men.

As Serafina was led away, Jaime's heart ached. He had to find a way to protect her, to save her from whatever fate Robb Stark had in mind.