•𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖚𝖘𝖙 • Jaime Lannister OC

✹sixteen✹

though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night - Sarah Williams

Rhena and Jaime wore black. And they would wear black until the end of the nine months that her mother should have carried her children. Twins, the maester had said as she birthed the two of them early.

It seemed as if the whole keep was covered in a film of darkness which shadowed any and every happy thought it could.

Rhaella had been so close. Just a month away from birthing two healthy sons. Just as the death of one son had spun Aerys into a rage, the loss of two had soured him completely. Jaime wanted to leave for Casterly Rock as soon as possible but Rhena had insisted they stayed to support her mother.

The whole of Lannister house stayed in King's Landing and Tywin became restless as the King's fury grew. Rhaella hadn't left her chambers since the unfruitful birth and Elia was bedridden, the child growing within her taking a toll on her strength. Rhena visited both regularly, making sure to take their minds away from the pain of oncoming birth and the pain of after.

Rhaegar eagerly awaited the birth of his child, though he never visited his wife who's womb was carrying it. Rhena tried to have her brother see sense but he would hear none of it, claiming to have too much work to deal with his pregnant wife.

So the princess took it upon herself to become a sole companion to Elia and her unborn child.

It was night when the birth started. Rhena's shared chambers with Jaime were just around the hall from Elia and Rhaegar's.

A King's Guard had woken her, saying that the crowned princess was in need of assistance. Jaime grumbled something about how Elia could wait before turning the other way and pulling the sheets closer to his body. Rhena rolled her eyes and kissed his head before standing. She pulled on a black silk robe and allowed the man to lead her out of her chambers.

Only when they were in the hallway did Rhena hear the groans and screams coming from the woman's rooms.

She abandoned the King's Guard who struggled to keep up with her and pushed past Rhaegar who was standing taught outside of the door.

Rhena burst into the room and was faced with maesters, midwives, and blood. Elia was laying in her birthing bed, blood surrounding her and healers swarming her.

"Princess, it is not appropriate-" Rhena ignored Grand Maester Pycelle and made her way to her good sister. Pycelle was of an acquired taste in company. He was loyal to the king but only because he was the king. The man smelled of a mixture of roses and piss in his good days and shit and mold on his worst. Rhena hoped that she would be far away at Casterly Rock the day she gave birth if only to spare herself from the wrinkled Grand Maester's poking and prodding.

When she passed, the midwives paused in their work and bobbed into quick curtsies, whispering a small 'your highness'

Elia's face was screwed up in pain and agony and her brow was soaked with sweat. Through her hazy state however, she noticed the new presence in the room and reached out to her friend.

Rhena fell to her knees gracefully and took the princess's hand in her own. "I'm glad you called for me." Rhena started. She grabbed a bowl of ice water and a towel and started to wipe Elia's forehead.

"Of course I would call for you." Elia gasped out. "My mother's dead and yours had just gone through a terrible birth. I would not burden her with guilt or sadness." The woman yelled out in pain as another contraction hit. The maids and midwives seemed to come to life and they swarmed once again.