lover's mercy - jaime lannister

SIX

          The first time she met Jaime Lannister was after her little brother Bran fell from the broken tower. He had been climbing and he fell.

She was upset and she hardly spoke to anyone. She didn't smile much and found it a sin to laugh, not knowing if her brother would ever wake up.

So she was in a weathered mood as she stood atop the ladder in the library. She was reaching for a book she wanted when Jaime Lannister walked in; his eyes searching.

His eyes landed on her and he asked gently, "Have you seen my brother?"

She looked down at him and his eyes blinked as he saw her face, "Lady Elyanna."

"Ser Jaime," she nodded.

"I haven't seen your brother but he should be here shortly. He, usually, is at this time," she answered. It was late in the evening and Tyrion was usually the one who kept her company.

He nodded before he saw her reach for a book just out of her reach, "Wouldn't it be smarter to move the ladder and then get the book? You might fall this way."

She huffed, "I'm perfectly capable of getting my own book. Thank you."

"Whatever you say, my lady," she could practically hear the smirk in his voice and she wanted to wipe it off. She reached farther for the book, too far, and...she fell.

She let out a little terrified squeal as she fell towards the ground. She closed her eyes but she never hit the ground. Instead, she landed in...his arms.

She peeked one eye open and Jaime thought it was kind of cute as she asked, "I really just fell, didn't I?"

"Yes," he chuckled as she opened both eyes.

"Don't laugh," she demanded as she gave him a playful glare.

Her demand only made him laugh more, "I did warn you."

She started to smile. It was one of her few as her own embarrassing moment allowed her to forget her troubles. It was silent for a moment as he watched her smile; it was beautiful. He couldn't remember Cersei ever smiling like that. But he ruined it with his own jadedness (he had too much fun with the Stark girl).

"Although, it seems very convenient that you fall and I'm here to catch you," he rolled his eyes. She was just like any other woman that wanted him.

Her jaw dropped, "You think I planned this?"

"Well, it makes sense."

She glared, "I can assure you. You are the last man I would ever want to be in the arms of."

She said it with such hostility that he started to backtrack, "Lady Elyanna..."

But his brother walked in and he quickly set the girl down on her feet. Tyrion slowed as he came upon the scene and he furrowed his eyebrows, "My brother...and Lady Elyanna...."

She crossed her arms as she threw a short glare to Jaime. Then Tyrion continued, "You look as beautiful as ever."

Elya looked away from Jaime as a bright smile came to her face. She even blushed...for Tyrion and Jaime furrowed his eyebrows. "You speak too kindly."

She went to leave but she leaned down and kissed his brother on the cheek before she did. Tyrion placed his hand on his cheek as he watched her go in awe. Then he turned back to his brother, "Do I want to know what happened?"

"She blushed...for you," Jaime didn't understand it.

Tyrion chuckled, "Are you losing your touch? Maybe she thinks you're ugly; wouldn't that be amusing?"

Jaime blew out a breath in frustration. It didn't make any sense. She liked his brother more than him.

_____

                   The next morning she was actually eating breakfast with Tyrion. He was pleasant to talk to.
All night she had been thinking of the audacity of his brother.

                 "Is your brother always so egotistical?" she clenched her jaw.

                   Tyrion looked up from his book with a little knowing smile, "Thinking of my brother all night, have we?"

                  "No!" she blushed. "Not...like that."

                  Tyrion chuckled before asking, "What did he do?"

              Before she could answer, Jaime approached, commenting on her wolf that laid beside her, "This ugly mutt is yours?"

                 Rheina growled at him and Elya gave Tyrion a deadpan look, "That's what he does: he opens his mouth."

                Tyrion chuckled as Jaime took a step back from her wolf. Elya looked up at him, "She is not ugly. But I dare you to say it again."

                 Rheina watched him like she was listening and Jaime shook his head, "I'd like to not be mauled by a wolf."

                "Wouldn't it make for a great story, though?" Elya glared and she left with Rheina following.

                "It's never good to have a woman mad at you," Tyrion said.

                  "Well then, wish me luck," Jaime said before he sighed and followed after her.

                  He found her in the stables where she was about to get on her horse from the wooden steps; without a saddle, she was too short to just hop on. But Jaime swooped in and picked her up by her waist before setting her on the horse.

               "What are you doing?" she asked.

                "All I have to say is that I was wrong...about yesterday," he apologized. "You're betrothed and I had no right to accuse you of such things. Can we...put it behind us?"

                She looked down at him with a softer look, "As long as it's clear that there are no intentions between us."

                  "No intentions," he promised but he was never any good at keeping them.

                 "Alright," she smiled slightly before thinking of the hands that were still on her waist; she could feel the warmth of them through her dress. "Now you can remove your hands."

                   He furrowed his eyebrows before he realized his hands were still on her waist. They had gotten comfortable there. He removed them as he smirked.

             "One day, I will wipe that smug grin off your face," she shook her head in frustration.

             Before she rode out, he pierced her with those green eyes, "I'll be awaiting the day you do."

AN: okay, they met. They're going to be very antagonistic. They'll be hot and cold and they'll definitely challenge each other