- The 280th Year of Aegon's Conquest -
Jaime sat in his chambers, the weight of his father's decision pressing down on him like a gilded lion's paw. Betrothed to Leyla Hightower, a woman he had never met and had no desire to meet. His heart beat only for one person—Cersei, his twin, his other half. The bond between them was a dark secret, a taint on their house, but Jaime had always believed you don't get to choose who you love.
His father's voice echoed in his mind, cold and unyielding: "You will marry her, Jaime. For the good of the family, for the legacy of the Lannisters." But what did legacy matter when his heart was chained to his sister's? He wanted nothing more than to remain in King's Landing, by Cersei's side.
Cersei's words haunted him: "It's the only way, brother." She had spun dreams of a future where she would marry Prince Rhaegar, and he could stay close, serving in the Kingsguard for King Aerys. It was the only path that led to her. The only path that made sense. He could see no future without her, only an endless void of duty and despair.
He clenched his fists, his knuckles white, as he wrestled with his father's demands and his own heart's desires. To refuse would be unthinkable, an act of rebellion against Tywin Lannister himself. Yet to comply felt like a betrayal of his very soul.
Jaime stood, his decision weighing heavily upon him. Would he forsake his own dreams for the lion's legacy? Or would he find the courage to follow his heart, no matter where it led?
"It doesn't matter anymore... "
Jaime's eyes darkened as he was resigned to his fate the moment his father left King's Landing with him and half of the household in tow, the Hand had arranged the marriage to begin by the harvest moon within the halls of Casterly Rock.
The Hightowers will arrive by sea within the hour, "The wedding will take place at nightfall." Father said at breakfast.
Cersei was in the same dark mood, upset after believing their father was to betroth him to Lysa Tully, daughter to Lord Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident.
He berated her that she was wrong, and she snapped and said he was the stupid fool for not defying Father once in his life and maybe she was right, he had said to put a hold on her plans until they knew for certain they could succeed.
A knock on his door drove him from his thoughts and he turned to stand at attention to his uncle Kevan. "Nuncle?"
"Jaime, you look like a man." a man? He's one year from his majority, only turning fifteen a few months ago. "They are here." thank the gods.
Let them get this over with.
Jaime was led to the great hall, the historic heart of House Lannister, where countless feasts and weddings had taken place, and where the ancient throne of the old Kings of the Westerlands stood as a symbol of their power. As he stood in line next to his father, the weight of his impending fate pressed heavily upon him. Apprehension gnawed at his resolve, though he tried to mask it with the stoic demeanor of a Lannister.
Cersei, ever the picture of controlled fury, cast him scathing glances whenever their eyes met. Her silent fury was a bitter reminder of their shared, forbidden bond and the life they had envisioned together in King's Landing. Jaime could feel the anger radiating off her, her contempt for the arranged marriage palpable in the air between them.
The golden doors of the great hall opened with a solemn creak, and a retinue of Hightower guards marched in, their breastplates emblazoned with the tower and blazing green flame. The Defender of Oldtown followed, flanked by his current wife and a parade of children, their ages ranging from twenty years to the youngest, barely ten.
The sight of them filled Jaime with a sense of dread. His future was being paraded before him, a future he had never chosen and did not want. As he watched the Hightowers approach, he stole one last glance at Cersei, her fierce gaze a blazing green flame of its own, a reminder of everything he was about to lose. The great hall seemed to close in around him, the weight of his family's legacy bearing down on his shoulders.
"Welcome to Casterly Rock, Lord Hightower, Lady Hightower."
"We are glad to be had, Lord Hand." Leyton spoke kindly, then turned right, "May I present to you my daughter, Leyla Hightower."
Despite his earlier resignation to this marriage, Jaime couldn't help but be taken aback by Lady Leyla Hightower's appearance. Her spun gold hair shimmered under the torchlight, and her emerald green eyes seemed to pierce through the dimly lit hall. She was striking, almost uncannily similar to Cersei, though she lacked his sister's ever-present, scheming smirk.
As she approached, Jaime's initial disdain wavered ever so slightly. He had expected to see a stranger, someone entirely foreign, but instead, there stood a woman who looked every bit the Lannister. It was as if the Father had found a replacement for Cersei, someone who could fit into their family's gilded image without missing a beat.
She curtsied gracefully, "My Lord, I hope I am not a disappointment to you." she was sweet.
Jaime stiffened nervously, urged silently by his father with a cold stare, "Not at all, My Lady. You are a welcome sight, indeed." she blushed and bowed her head again.
Yet, the resemblance only deepened his inner turmoil. This marriage, no matter how well-matched in appearances, could never fill the void that would be left by parting from his sister, yet, this does make things a little clearer.
Behind his mind, he grimaced the thought of bedding her later, the sight of Lady Leyla was a cruel reminder of the life he was expected to lead, and the life he yearned for in the hidden corners of his heart.
The wedding was at nightfall as his father said, Jaime stood with a Lannister cloak in hand and watched Leyla be walked down by her father as a hundred or so stood in attendance.
Uncle Kevan was beside his wife, Dorna Swyft. Behind them is his other uncle Tygett and his new wife, Darlessa Marbrand. Uncle Gerion was on the side with his little brother, Tyrion.
Even his aunt Genna came with her Frey husband, Emmon, and their two sons Cleos and Lyonel. Others from nearby Casterly Rock were invited, such as the Lannister kin, Stafford and his family, Ser Ilyn Payne, Lords Crakehall, and Swyft. Lord and Lady Marbrand, their son, Addam.
On the Hightower side was Lord Leyton and all of his children, his wife, and members of their vassals from House Beesbury, Cuy, Mullendore, and Bulwer. Ser Baelor Hightower was already drunk before the ceremony.
Jaime Lannister stood rigidly beside Leyla Hightower. His face was a mask of calm, his mind churned with resentment. He was here not of his own will, but because of his father's unyielding command. Beside him, Leyla looked every bit the radiant bride, her gown of silver and emeralds a testament to her noble lineage.
As the Septon recited the vows, Jaime's gaze shifted to the crowd. He saw his father's stern expression, a silent reminder of the Lannister duty. His sister Cersei, standing in the shadows, her eyes betraying a mix of fury and pain. The onlookers whispered among themselves, sensing the undercurrent of discord.
Leyla's hand trembled slightly as she placed it in Jaime's, her eyes searching his for any sign of warmth. But Jaime's heart was cold, his thoughts far from the sacred vows.
The Septon continued, "Look upon one another and say the words." gently, Jaime placed the Lannister cloak on her, replacing her own Hightower one and he handed it to his little brother, Tyrion.
Jaime struggled but together he and his bride said the words to conclude the ceremony. "With this kiss, I pledge my love" he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, they were supple and smooth. "And I take you for my lady and wife"
Leyla then repeated the same words, "And I take you as my lord and husband."
The septon soon declared them to be man and wife, stating they were "One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever, accursed be they who would tear them asunder."
The attendees gave their applause, with the exception of one... His sister.
Jaime started to enjoy himself a little better once the wine started hitting his belly, he chewed on some poultry and sipped more wine. He would turn and converse with his new wife, "Are you enjoying yourself, wife?"
"Yes, husband. I am happy we were brought together," she said and reached for a pair of grapes, eating one and putting one in his mouth, her thumb lingered slightly while feeling his lips. "I yearn for tonight, my Lord."
He wished he did, Jaime smiled and gulped down more wine, hoping the night wouldn't be too long.
Tyrion was enjoying himself, the six-year-old running about despite the scathing stares from their father and sister, he was getting on well with Lord Leyton's younger sons, Humfrey and Gunthor who are technically Jaime's good-brothers now.
He wished his mother was here, at least she'd be happiest to see her first boy married, it would make him think less about being away from his sister.
Soon came time for the bedding, called by his uncle Gerion.
As was the custom, the bride and groom were to be hauled off by the attendees of the opposite sex, however, his father had called for naught a step and simply had him take his new wife in his hand and leave the hall to his chambers- Their, chambers.
He closed the door as she inspected the room and then saw a few of his personal things.
"I heard about you, knighted young just two moons ago, fighting the Kingswood Brotherhood with Ser Arthur Dayne and my uncle Gerold." It was his most glorious moment.
A moment later she disrobed until she was in her night shift. "You... Look lovely, my dear." it was all he said and she strode towards him and he backed up until he hit the door.
He wasn't sure why he was being so nervous, he and Cersei fucked each other thrice before leaving the capital to see this marriage through.
She sniggered sweetly and grabbed at his waist, "Allow me, husband, my Septa showed me plenty of books on the way over here, all for this moment." he took a deep breath when she pulled down his breaches and took his member into her mouth and the rest of the night seemed to blur, memory of passion and sex until the hour of the owl.
Morning rose on the great mountain of the rock, Jaime opened his eyes and saw his wife sleeping peacefully.
His faith to Cersei started to waver, then.