Dark Sister

-The Toast-

-The Toast-

299 AC
Kings Landing

It had been several weeks since Jaime's return and the royal wedding was quickly approaching. Cersei had dismissed Valyria after being in a foul mood, so she spent her time with Tyrion and Jaime.

Today Tyrion had invited her to lunch in his solar, he had also invited Jaime who was very glum after his return to the capital which Valyria knew was because of his maiming. She wore her leathers, discarding the golden armor. When she arrived, Tyrion's squire, Podrick opened the door.

"Ser Valyria, Lord Tyrion is waiting for you." The young lad greeted with a smile. Valyria bowed her head and walked in to find Tyrion gulping wine. "Ah, you've come." He greeted putting the goblet down. "How's married life?" She questioned as she stalked to her seat. Tyrion's features dropped slightly.

"It could be better. She is very unhappy but tries very hard not to show it. And I promised to not share her bed so I sleep on the couch, it could be more comfortable though." Valyria nodded at her friend's predicament. "I see. I told her to come to me if she needed anything." "That's very kind of you, I fear the damage has been done though, she's barely eaten since the news of the Red Wedding." "Give her time. That's what she needs most right now. She'll come around eventually." Valyria spoke truthfully from her own experiences. Tyrion sighed and picked up his goblet downing the rest of the wine.

Soon Podrick opened the door again to reveal Jaime, who looked very depressed as he walked into the room. "Brother!" Tyrion rejoiced, "Brother, Sen." Jaime greeted back, though less enthusiastically than Tyrion. Valyria merely looked up at Jaime flashing him a smile. Podrick soon returned with three trays filled with food, one had meats, another had pieces of bread and cheese, and the last one held desserts.

Valyria took something from all the plates, while still leaving plenty of room on her plate as to not stuff herself. As for Tyrion, he had filled his plate to the brim with foods of all sorts. While Jaime only took some bread and cheese. While Tyrion and Valyria ate, Jaime just pushed the food around with a fork. Realizing the situation Tyrion spoke first. "Your new hand is nicer than the old one. Wouldn't you agree Pod?" "Is it solid gold?" The boy questioned "Gilded Steel." Valyria answered. Jaime simply looked annoyed at his brother and friend.

"You're not eating. Why is no one eating? My wife wastes away, and my brother starves himself." Tyrion stated as he ate a sausage. "I'm not hungry," Jaime said, his tone was short and clipped. "You lost a hand, not a stomach." Tyrion said, causing Jaime to smile, "Try the boar, Cersei can't get enough of it since one killed Robert for her." Valyria chuckled at the comment.

Podrick approached Jaime with the boar, but the golden lion waved him off. "A toast. To the proud Lannister children, the dwarf, the cripple, and the mother of madness. And to Valyria, the woman I wish was my sister, who has held it all together while dealing with us." Tyrion said, raising his glass. Valyria copied his actions smiling to herself at the comment. When Jaime tried to grab his cup, his new hand knocked it over spilling wine off the table and onto the floor. "Agh. I'll clean it up. Leave us." Jaime said to Podrick, dismissing him.

"It's only wine," Valyria said, pouring her cup onto the table. Tyrion doing the same, he then stood up and brought the pitcher to Jaime, refilling his cup. "I can't fight anymore," Jaime whispered ashamed. "What about your left?" Tyrion questioned. Jaime shook his head "I can hold a sword, but all my instincts are wrong. How can I protect the king, when I can hardly wipe my own ass?"

"You're the Lord Commander now, command. Let me do the fighting." Valyria said, smiling at her best friend. "When was the last time father used a sword?" Tyrion added. "I'm not, father. I'm the Kingslayer when people find out I can't slay a pigeon." Jaime deadpanned. "Train then!" Valyria suggested. "She's right, learn to fight with your other hand," Tyrion stated proudly.

"With whom? You? Valyria? I don't want to get my ass kicked by her every day." Valyria laughed at the comment. "You need a proper discreet swordsman," Tyrion stated. "I know just who. Illyn Payne, the man can't talk if that's what you're afraid of. And once you're good enough with your left, I'll train you." Valyria said, satisfied with her solution. "There. He's sworn to our house. I'll go find him and tell him to start training you tomorrow." Tyrion said gesturing to Valyria who was smirking at Jaime.

Valyria had been observing Jaime's lessons, he was right, he couldn't slay a pigeon. But two weeks later, he could and potentially a stable boy.

As the wedding was only a fortnight away Jaime was planning the security of the wedding. Valyria, Jaime, Ser Meryn Trant, and King Joffrey were all gathered in the common room of the White Sword Tower.

"All the Kingsguard will be on duty of course. Ser Boros will be stationed here, Ser Preston will be stationed here, beside the . . . Primary entertainment. Your Grace?" Jaime questioned as Joffrey stalked along the room paying no attention to the conversation.

"Yes yes, one guard at the, at the thing. Go on." He said dismissively. "Ser Meryn, you will guard Lady Margaery and Prince Tommen." "I've always guarded the King himself, my lord. Ever since your absence." Meryn spoke distastefully. "And I thank you for it Ser Meryn. Ser Valyria will guard the Queen Mother and the Lord Hand. And Ser Loras will guard the Tyrells."

Valyria nodded at the plan. "Oh very good, I don't expect there to be trouble," Joffrey said quite bored with the conversation. "The people love their king, they know who keeps them fed." Ser Meryn said as he stood next to Joffrey. "Margaery Tyrell Id heard," Valyria stated, looking up at Ser Meryn and the king. "By my leave, they know I saved the city, they know I won the war," Joffrey spoke. "The war's not won, not while Stannis lives." She continued. "I broke Stannis on the Blackwater. . .Pity you weren't there to help, uncle." The boy-king turned to face his uncle. "My apologies, your grace. I was rather busy." Jaime spoke with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Busy getting captured. . .  So this is the famous Book of Brothers. All the great deeds of all the great Kingsguard. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. Led the attack on the Kingswood brotherhood, killed the Smiling knight in single combat. . . Ser Duncan the Tall, heh four pages for Ser Duncan. He must have been quite a man." Joffrey read and flipped through the pages.

When he read Ser Arthur's page Valyria felt sick, that someone so cruel and awful was reading her friend's and mentor's achievements like they were nothing. She was jarred out of her thoughts when Jaime responded to the king.

"So they say." Joffrey looked up when he flipped the page again. "Ser Jaime Lannister. . . Someone forgot to write down all your great deeds." He said mockingly. "There's still time." "Is there? For a thirty-three-year-old knight with one hand?. . How can you protect me with that?" Joffrey spat. "I use my left hand now, your grace. Makes for more of a contest." Jaime said although Valyria could tell he was hiding his true feelings from his 'nephew'.

Joffrey smirked and walked out of the room with Ser Meryn close behind. As soon as they were out of sight Jaime slammed the book shut. "You're too hard on yourself. There is still time, and there are great deeds to write down." She said as she placed her hand on Jaime's arm but he flinched and walked out of the room.