Snow Ghost [Jaime Lannister]

Chapter V. A Woman Without Honor

The Stark war camp is quiet, Robb is alone while I walk in. Robb gives me a look "What?" I shake my head "Why you look at me like this?"

"Robb, we have to free Jaime."

"Tywin rejected my terms also Cersei. I will not trade the Kingslayer for my sisters. He stays."

I snap "HE STAYS?!"

Robb angry "He stays. End of discussion. I will not sacrifice the North's future for my personal comfort."

"Then you leave me no choice but to show you exactly what that crown is costing you" I step closer dismissing the guards "I am your sister, Robb. You forget I am also Tywin Lannister's daughter-by-marriage, and I have been a fucking whole year listening to war councils in King's Landing. I know the weaknesses of your strategy, and I know the loyalty of the men surrounding you is brittle." I speak low and intensely "You sent our mother South. That is a desperation move that screams weakness to your bannermen. You risk losing the North to politics."

"My mother was capable. Do not threaten my family" Robb warns me.

"Your family??? I am not threatening your family because they are mine I am trying to save what remains of it" I hiss "You will not trade Jaime for the girls?"

"No."

"Free him or I swear by the old gods, I will tell the truth about mother's incompetence she is the reason that war started and sink your kingship before the first snow falls."

Robb's face is a mask of shock and rage realizing the political danger. The threat of turning his own lords against him by exposing Catelyn's blunder is a catastrophe he cannot risk but instead of yielding, he met my eyes with a resolve harder than any Lannister gold "You will not destroy my reputation, Lyanna. You will not fracture my alliance, you forget that you are not merely a hostage. You are a Lady of the North, sister to the King."

I give him a look.

Robb leans down dropping the pretense of negotiation entire "You are Eddard Stark's daughter. That means you have a claim, a voice, and a right to rule this land." He watches the realization dawn on my face "You and Jaime Lannister married under the light of the Seven the New Gods. That marriage is not considered absolute by the Old Gods of the North, and it is easily set aside."

Robb stands straight transforming the threat into a command "You will divorce the Kingslayer. He will remain my prisoner to win this war. And you will marry a fine lord" My breath caught in my throat "And you will secure the loyalty of every house that follows the Stark name. You will be safe, and you will stop this madness" he warns me "now." I can see the desperate desire in his eyes; to command me, to save me, and to secure his crown all at once. If I refused outright Jaime would die "I am king and it is the only path to peace for you, and for the North."

I press my hand to my head as if the illness was suddenly overwhelming "Give me until the end of the week, Robb. You are asking me to set aside my husband and accept our family name. I need time to consider the oath I swore."

He agreed the threat still evident in his voice "Do not disappoint me, sister ."

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In my tent, I get in the tent wash my hands and take off my clothes, and sit in the bathtub. Gwen sits and sews trousers and shirts for me and takes one of Jaime's jackets and makes it small to fit me "I made it"

I smile and push myself under the hot water "Thanks Gwen"

Gwen leans her hand on the bathtub and looks at me "Where did you go?"

"Sent a raven to Driftmark"

Gwen gives me a look "If Robb knows"

"I didn't do anything to him, I help myself and my husband"