Snow Ghost [Jaime Lannister]

Chapter II. Hostages

Outside Stark's camp, the moon glows over the woods surrounding Stark camp. I move silently through the shadows; my cloak pulls tightly around me. I spot Ramsay Snow leaning against a tree, his posture relaxed but alert, eyes scanning the horizon so he turns offering a faint, familiar smile "You came" he steps closer.

I nod "There's no one else I can trust with this. We must speak" We find a small clearing, hidden behind a thicket of bushes. I settle onto a fallen log.

Ramsay takes a cautious step closer, lowering his voice "The latest news from the Seven Kingdoms" he unrolling a scroll he had concealed beneath his tunic "The situation in King's Landing remains tense. Joffrey's grip weakens, but his supporters are rallying. The North is restless"

I listen intently while my mind calculating "The realm is on the brink of chaos. We need to be prepared" I give him a look "For anything." Ramsay hesitates then look down "I looked for you on the battlefield" he sits down "You were nowhere to be found."

"I've been here, ruling your kingdom."

"What a fine job you've done."

"Sansa keeps saying weird words" he mocks her "My father was a traitor. My mother and brother are traitors, too. I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey."

I smirk rolling my eyes "Of course she is"

He nudges my arm "The raven arrived from the Citadel this morning, Your Grace. The conclave has met" he smiles "Considered reports from Maesters all over the Seven Kingdoms, and declared this great summer done, at last. The longest summer in living memory."

I groan and smile "The peasants say, a long summer means an even longer winter. Robb doesn't prepare for a day like this"

"We have enough wheat for a four or five-year winter. If it lasts any longer" Shrugs indifferently "we'll have fewer peasants. Fleeing the war with nowhere to house them, and with winter coming, it'll only get worse. As I can say your brother-in-law became the hand of the king"

I widen my eyes "Someone hits my father-in-law in his head I guess"

He laughs "Yes. Only in his absence..."

"Yes. Now Tywin still own his mind. If someone tricked father would be emperor of the world by now" he gives me a look "Why do you give me that look?"

Ramsey smirks "Quite right" he raises his eyebrows and I smile "See you start to like it. The entire North has risen up against them, and you could take this benefit to you"

I nod smiling "I know. That bit of theater will haunt my family for a generation."

"Robb Stark is a child to them" I nod "Who's won every battle he's fought. Do you understand you're losing the war?"

"Am I?" I give him a look "Am I a Lannister to you now?"

"Aren't you?" I look down "I know you love him but I know people. And I know that our enemies hate each other almost as much as they hate us"

There is a long pause "Joffrey is King." I said.

"Joffrey is King?"

"You are here to advise me."

"I'm only here to advise you?"

"The King might just get his Uncle Jaime back."

"How?"

I give him my evil eye "Cersei loves her children. It's her one redeeming quality. She forgets Starks loves their children as well. And they have two of them."

"One."

"One?"

"Arya disappeared."

I feel my heart drop standing "Disappeared? What in a puff of smoke?" He puts his hand on my arms tries to calm me "they chopped one's head off and let another disappear."