My pride and my grief: For my sister...A Jaime Lannister Story

Ch-2

Tywin exited Joanna's chambers, a worried frown on his face. Kevan rushed over to him. 'Tywin!' he exclaimed. 'What happened? Is Joanna all right? How is the baby?' He rushed over the words. Tywin, who was lost in his worries of Handship, jolted back to the present and remembered the happy news. The change in his expression was startling. His features softened, and he smiled, his green eyes shining with joy and pride. 'Joanna is fine.' He replied, a lilt to his voice. 'I am blessed with twins, a girl and a boy.' Kevan was pleasantly surprised. 'Twin babies? What a joyous news!' He enthused. 'Have you named them?' 'Yes, the boy is Jaime and the girl is Cersei.' 'Proud names, for a House of pride.' Kevan's mind suddenly flashed back to his brother's worried frown. Indeed, he was frowning again. 'Tywin,' asked Kevan, 'Is all as it should be?' Tywin hesitated. He could confide anything to his brother and was aware and grateful for that when he tentatively murmured 'Kevan, Aerys-' He looked over his shoulder. Kevan could grasp that whatever his brother was about to say was confidential, and he led Tywin to his rooms. There, his brother finally relaxed. 'What were you saying?' 'Kevan, Aerys is not what he once was. He was my closest friend, a liege lord I was proud to serve. He is not that now, Kevan. He has been crumbling slowly, turning into someone I barely know.' Kevan gasped. Regaining his composure, he queried, 'Crumbling in what way?' 'Crumbling in the way only a Targaryen can.' replied Tywin. 'He may have been my friend, but now he thinks that I am his greatest rival. He is deteriorating. ' Tywin stopped. 'No one knows this yet, save you, me and the Royal Family.' 'Not even Joanna?' 'No, not even her.' Tywin confirmed. To Tywin, the perilous mental condition of the Kind put a damper on the absolute joy he felt on the birth of his children. He tried to hide it from his family, but, Joanna, astute as she was, sensed that something was wrong. What could be the source of the change? she wondered. But, she rarely had time to ponder upon the unexplainable change in her husband, for the twins demanded all her attention. They were insistent, always fussing. She sighed. Even the babies were not oblivious to the tension in the household.