Whispers of Winter

- Stars in the Water -

WHISPERS OF WINTER

Chapter Four

Jamie's usual arrogance falters for a moment. He glances around the room as if checking for something, or someone, before stepping closer. His typical smirk is absent, replaced by an expression Elara can't place.

"I shouldn't be here," he admits, his voice low. "But I needed to speak with you...to apologise for my sister's behaviour."

Elara blinks, her confusion deepening. "Apologise? But why? You didn't do anything wrong."

He chuckles softly, almost in disbelief at her response. "I suppose not but Cersei...well, she can be difficult. I don't think she intended to be cruel but sometimes she doesn't know how to be anything else."

Elara shakes her head, "You don't need to apologise for her. I'm sure she didn't mean any harm."

Jamie watches her for a moment, his green eyes narrowing slightly. He had expected anger or at least some frustration after Cersei's sharp words earlier but here is Elara, serene as ever, as if nothing could truffle her. He is used to women who are sharp-tongued or calculating but Elara...she is something else entirely.

"You're...very forgiving," he says, almost to himself, as if he can't quite believe it. "Most people would be at least a little upset."

Elara offers him a small smile, her eyes bright and warm, as if she hasn't a care in the world. "I just don't think it's worth being upset over things like that. Life is too short to hold on to anger."

"You're...not like anyone I've ever met," Jamie admits, surprising himself with his own honesty.

Elara tilts her head, slightly, her brows furrowing in that endearing way she does when she doesn't quite understand what someone means. "Is that a bad thing?" She asks.

Jamie finds himself shaking his head before he even realises what he's doing. "No," he says quietly. "It's not a bad thing at all."

Silence settles between them for a moment, the kind that isn't awkward but rather respectful. Elara turns her gaze back to the window, the stars now twinkling faintly in the darkening sky. She hadn't realised that night had fallen.

"I didn't notice the sun had set," she murmurs, as if speaking more to herself than to Jamie.

He watches her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. There is something about Elara, her innocence, her beauty, her warmth, that unsettles him in a way he can't explain. She doesn't even seem to realise how easily she charms people, how her presence can calm even the most turbulent of souls.

"You know, most people wouldn't be so quick to thank a Lannister," he says, half teasing, half genuine.

Elara blinks, turning her bright eyes back to him. There's no malice in her gaze, only that same, open kindness. "Why wouldn't I?" She asks, her head tilting slightly. "You've been nothing but kind to me just now."

Jamie laughs under his breath, crossing his arms as he leans casually against the wall. "Kind, am I?" He shakes his head, amused. "You might be the first person in Westeros to say that about me."

Elara frowns, her innocence showing as she looks at him. "Why would they say otherwise? You're...kind to me. That's all that matters."

Jamie feels a pang of something he can't quite name. It's disarming, the way she looks at him like he's something good when he knows he's anything but. He's used to people judging him before he even opens his mouth. Kingslayer. Oathbreaker. He's worn those names for so long that he's come to own them but with Elara...it's as if none of that matters.