Jaime Lannister felt the nerves in him bubble with a feeling he couldn't place. Was it excitement? Was he nervous, or scared? Today was the day he would get everything he wanted, he would be knighted and become Ser Jaime Lannister of the kingsguard.
Today he and Cersei would never part, they would be together forever. Today he would become the royal family's sworn protector.
It was early, the sun had just barely raised, and he stood in the throne room for what felt like hours, waiting. What would his king ask of him?
Finally, the door opened, and the Lannister boy was quick to kneel before his king, not making an attempt to get up until his king gave him permission.
"Rise boy." Areys Taragaryen, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men – Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms. "You Ser Jaime Lannister, son of Tywin. You shall become a respected knight of the kingsguard. You shall protect my family from any dangers, and if necessary you will give your life for the crown."
And he vowed he would. He vowed to take no lands, become no lord, take no wife, and give his life and death for the crown.
The king was wary of knighting the boy, however even if Tywin had given up his position as hand the young Lannister was too bloody good with a sword for the talent to go to waste.
The day had been a glorious day for Jaime Lannister, he had everything he wanted, he had Cersei. Until he didn't.
Tywin had been more resentful of Jaime then he had thought. His father refused him to become a knight, and he disobeyed. He should have known he would take Cersei and go back to Casterly Rock within the next fortnight.
Suddenly the glow of Kings Landing became dull, and all Jaime Lannister wanted was to be with his sister. He'd fight a thousand of the king's wars if it meant he could be with her.
Did he feel ashamed of loving her more than a brother should? No. Did he have doubts they were doing the right thing? Yes. However, the Targaryen's wedded brothers and sisters all the time.
Is that why he felt slightly resentful being born who he was?
Maela Targaryen, the kingdom's grace. The name tired her, bored her – like many things. She had dismissed many maids, and guards simply because she tire of their company.
It was well known the princess was not easily entertained. In fact, the only presence she didn't find dull was her older brother, Rhaegar Targaryen. Many would say that he was the only one who could tame his younger sister's mouth.
Tame. She found the word simply silly. Why would anyone want to tame their princess? The blood of the dragon and first born daughter to the king.
Rhaegar did not tame his sister, and perhaps that's why she felt his person to be so calming. Rhaegar spoke his mind, just as she did. He was the only one who started to understand her, and the only one she absolutely trusted.
"Jane Hightower is a sight to watch dance." Her brother spoke as he stood next to her. Their father would often find things to celebrate – any chance he had. This party was simply for the knighting of Tywin Lannister's son.
Maela didn't care to know the boy's name but she's certain that sooner or later she would hear it in conversation.
"She uninterest me." Her brother laughed, as if he expected the answer. "Does she take your interest?"
Rhaegar sent the princess a knowing glance. "I'm right here, aren't I?"I choose you.The words were silent, yet between them they were so loud.
Rumors of their bond were always there; however they were not lovers unlike some beliefs. No instead Maela had a problem of sharing things that interested her. Having her attention was rare, and if you did not cherish it – it would be a great shame to lose it.
Her brother knew her better than anyone, he knew she had attachment issues to him. Perhaps she would grow out of it one day, but that was not today.
"My children." Their fathers loud voice rang through the festivity, although not louder than the music and chatter. Two knights followed behind the king, but the princess didn't bother to look away from her father.
"Father." Ayres Targaryen loved his kids, to simply put it. His firstborn son, and his precious daughter. He found great joy in teaching his son how to rule the kingdom, but his daughter is the one he spoiled.
She was his little girl no matter her age. Six and ten, just six years younger than her brother. "I would like you to meet the newly appointed Ser Jaime."
Following her father's eyes, on the right of him was the Ser Jaime he talked about. He must've been Tywin Lannister's son. His father told the girl many war stories, and she listened to everyone he told.
The new knight was quick to bow, before the heir and princess of the realm. "It is nice to meet you Ser Jaime." Her brother started a conversation quite easily, where she was the opposite.
Ladies and lords danced all around them, some drank, some feasted, and some laughed – most smiled. It was only when her father and brother started to leave did she start to listen to their conversation.
She didn't let her brother walk past her before grabbing onto his arm, not wanting to be left alone. "I'll be back – stay with Ser Jaime and I'll find you." She couldn't really fight him on the matter, and so she let him leave her even if she was less than displeased.
She remained quiet, before looking to the lion next to her. "Did my father command you to remain by me?"
"No, your brother did." Not once did her eyes waver from him, "My brothers not king." As if instant, he spoke without a second thought.
"He's heir." He had just argued against the princess. He must've been insane, after all he wasn't in his right mind. Cersei was leaving soon, and he couldn't even spend time with her at a party in his own name.
"You're a Lannister. Your sister has been at court for some time." He didn't know where the princess was going with this, nor did he want to. "That's her dancing there is it not?" Finally, she looked away and he had followed her gaze.
His sister was ethereal in his eyes, the best of him, his other half.
"She tries too hard." The insult wasn't even subtle. "She's graceful." Jaime started to understand the talks of the Targaryen girl's mouth.
"You doubt me?" It wouldn't be the first time a person didn't agree with her but would be the first time a person did it outwardly. "I simply believe my sister deserves better words."
A smile broke out on the princess' face, perhaps the first one of the night. Her Valyrian eyes clashed with his green ones.
"Everyone tries too hard at court, a fact you will learn. Your sister is no different than every other lady."
No, he silently disagreed. She was better than everyone. "No different than you?"
Her smile faded, and she was no longer in a talking mood. We share the blood of the dragon. Her brother's lingered in her head. "No one is like me. "We Targaryen's are chaotic, and we burn. "Only me."
There was no lady, nor lord that understood the girl completely. They didn't know her demons, the monster that was restless inside her mind. No one would ever understand what fully went on in the girl's mind. That's what made her different.
"Se kingsguard iksos daor dīnagon syt ao."The Kingsguard is no place for you. Valyrian spoke through her tongue so elegantly, Jaime would be a liar if he said that for the first time a person had his complete attention.
With Cersei he thought of others, with others he thought of Cersei.
Even if he didn't wish it, he followed the prince's orders and remained quietly behind her the whole night until her brother came to fetch her like he promised.
