Fallen Flames

Chapter Two

Casterly Rock
282 AC

        It took a little under two weeks to reach Casterly Rock. He had watched as their men hesitantly followed, nervously catching glances at the dragons in the sky. They had stayed in various inns, even setting up camp when they were too far from shelter. Jaime had learned quickly how Visenya acted, and how she interacted with the guards and bannermen surrounding her. It was unusual to see someone of such stature chattering and laughing with soldiers, but she seemed completely relaxed with the situation. He had also sparked a conversation with her, how could he not? The pair had come to a respectable agreement, to treat each other as equals in any situation. 

      Jaime had also caught onto her quirks and mannerisms, noticing how she chewed on her bottom lip, how she fiddled with the reigns of her saddle as she admired her dragons, or even how she opened the windows every night letting in the cool spring air. He supposed it was the fire in her veins that allowed her to become immune to the chill. 

     "ēdrugon ñuha riñar" (Sleep my children) Jaime watched from afar as she placed a comforting hand on her dragon's necks, her palms extended as they rested their heads and settled for the night.

       She had spotted him peeking his head out from their tent, tonight they'd be posting camp along the road. He had held the flap open for her, watching as the short girl whisked past him and slouched on their bed. "Gods know we'd be there quicker if we flew" She began to unbutton her corset, Jaime scoffed,

       "And have the king call us right back to Kings Landing? We need to lay low, you need to lay low" She raised a brow, taking off her jacket and allowing the air to nip her shoulders "Robert hears that you've been riding across Westeros he'll grow anxious, he'll think you're trying to gain support with the commoners" She rolled her eyes, now stepping out her dress and stretching.

     "I don't think they would like a Targaryen on the throne" Jaime poured himself a cup of wine 

     "Why not?" He pressed the goblet to his lips, watching as she folded her red gown and placed it in her trunk "You think the Reach and Dorne don't cry for their lost king? You think Robert shouldn't be weary of you being close to your family's old allies?" She pursed her lips, placing a hand on her hip.

       "If the new king worries this much he should be labeled mad in no time" He scoffed, settling his drink down as she slipped under the covers "And the people would label him an idiot for dismissing such thoughts" He watched her lips curl as she rested her head down on the soft pillow.

       "I told him I do not want the throne, only a life away from the Red Keep" He watched as her eyes began to droop, and a small yawn came to her lips "Let the King have Westeros, let my ancestors roll in their graves at the thought of me giving up. I am tired. I wish to rest" And with that she rolled over, shutting her eyes and finishing the conversation before he could even argue.

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        They reached Casterly Rock in the early evening on the thirteenth day of their trip. Despite herself, Visenya's eyes had widened at the sight of the great castle with its astounding position on the cliffs and its broad defenses. Jaime smirked at her reaction "A little more impressive than you thought?" Visenya shrugged, "It's much better than King's landing" She admitted "But you should see Dragonstone" 

      An unfamiliar group of blondes had stood in a line before her. Jaime recognized them immediately, they were his family. At the front stood his uncles Kevan, Tygett, and Gerion, beside them, stood their wives, and behind the couples were Jaime's cousins. But before all of them stood the small figure of Tyrion Lannister. Jaime had never been so excited to see his little brother, even after only seeing him a few months before. He had quickly dismounted his house to embrace his brother, lifting him from the ground and laughing joyously.