The she-wolf and the lion

Chapter 197 - "all my children should learn this"

A couple days later, Jaime is sitting with his daughter Jariella in the great hall.
"How do you feel about learning to handle weapons?" Jaime asks.
"But father, I'm but a woman, I'm no warrior", Jariella says.
"Your mother is also but a woman, but she trains with weapons the same as I do, and the same as your brothers do, if my wife and sons are allowed to learn how to wield a sword, shield and bow, why not my daughter, and Will is teaching Daemon how to wield a mace", Jaime says. "Come, my girl, let's go to the smiths, but first, I suggest you change into pants and a tunic instead of a dress, you'll have it easier that way"
"Yes, father", Jariella says, going to her rooms to change clothes while Jaime waits for his daughter in the great hall.

Jariella returns after a few minutes, wearing dark linen pants, a light tunic and a jacket similar to Jaime's. Her long golden hair is tied back in a braid, Jaime looks his daughter up and down and smiles proudly.

Jaime takes his daughter to the smiths and one of the boys helping old blacksmith Brown out, stare open mouthed at Jariella by Jaime's side, a spitting image of her mother, but with her father's golden hair and sky blue eyes.

Brown gives the youths a dangerous look, don't even think about it, the golden haired man in front of them would have them strung up along the castle walls if they tried anything with his daughter.
"What can I do for you, m'lord, m'lady?" Brown asks.
"My daughter is in need of an armor and a sword and shield, here, it's her measurements", Jaime says, handing the older man a piece of paper.
"Yes, m'lord", Brown says. "Any specific requests, m'lady?"
"Light but protective armor, I would like my sword to be similar to mother's sword, but with a lion's head instead of a dire wolf, and I want my shield to be like my brothers' shields, with the joint crest of house Lannister and house Stark painted on it on a crimson background like Daemon's shield" Jariella says.
"Yes, lady Lannister, anything else?" Brown asks.
"I would like a helmet similar to father's helmet, but a lioness instead of a male lion", Jariella says. "That's all"
"Yes, lady Lannister", Brown says. "I'll see to it and I'll either send word to you that everything is done or I'll come up to the castle and deliver it personally"

A couple days later, Brown delivers Jariella's armor and weapons to the castle personally while Jaime, Lyra and the children are breaking the fast, Jariella orders the armor and weapons be taken to her rooms so that she can try it on, with help from Lyra, when the family has finished eating.
"How do I look, lady mother?" Jariella asks.
"Like a warrior, my girl", Lyra says proudly. "Come, let's go show your father and brothers"

Lyra and Jariella go to the great hall where Jaime and their sons are seated sharing a flagon of ale and some food.
"Wow, that armor is so cool", Daemon says with a smile directed at his little sister. "Turn around, let me see, wow, you look like a warrior, sweet sister, let me see what it looks like with your helmet on"

Jariella smiles and puts on the lioness helmet, Daemon applauds when he sees his little sister in full armor.
"Brown did a fine job with your armor, daughter", Jaime says proudly.
"Thank you, father", Jariella says.
"We can have our first lesson after we've had a bite to eat, I just need to get my armor on and get my sword", Lyra says.
"I need to get my sword as well, I was advised not to wear it while sitting down, at least not until I've gotten used to wearing armor", Jariella says.
"Your grandfather told me the same when I got my first sword", Lyra says.
"Perhaps father could join us and you could show me some moves", Jariella says.
"Jaime?" Lyra asks, looking at her husband.
"Boys, help your old man get his armor on, you can act as my squires", Jaime says, looking at his sons.
"Yes, father, Gerion and I are happy to act as your squires and help you get your armor on", Daemon says.

Daemon and Gerion help Jaime get his armor on and when it's done they walk behind him out to the training yard where Lyra and Jariella, both dressed in their armor, wait for him.

Lyra and Jaime begin Jariella's first lesson in combat training and weapons handling by having a little demonstration for her, clashing steel and taking turns attacking each other.
"Now it's your turn to clash steel with your mother", Jaime tells his daughter before stepping aside and letting his daughter approach her mother. "Start with slow movements, Lyra, high, low, low, high, high, good, very good, low, low, right, right, left, low, left, high, good, speed up the movements a little"

Jaime continues to give his wife and daughter instructions for over an hour until neither Jariella nor Lyra are able to stand up straight.
"Practice is over, you both did wonderfully, ask your northern ladies to help you out of armor when you get to your rooms, Jariella", Jaime says.
"Thank you, lord father", Jariella says as they split up, Lyra and Jaime going to their own rooms, Jariella to her rooms and the young lords, her brothers, to the stables to get their horses ready to go for a ride around the grounds that are under Jaime's lordship.