The Prince of Thorns

🌹To The North🌹

REDKEEP - CERSEI'S QUARTERS

Jaime opens the door and steps into the queen's room. Cersei is seated near a window, speaking to Qyburn.

Cersei: That won't be necessary.

Qyburn bows his head and walks to leave the room. As he passes by Jaime, he addresses him.

Qyburn: Ser Jaime.

Qyburn closes the door as he leaves. Jaime and Cersei are alone. Cersei begins walking over to a chair in front of Jaime and sits.

Jaime: Why was Qyburn here?

Cersei: He's Hand of the Queen. Why are you here?

Jaime: I met with Tyrion.

Cersei pauses for a moment, making Jaime uncomfortable.

Cersei: What did our brother have to say?

Jaime: Daenerys wants to meet.

Cersei: To discuss a surrender?

Jaime: To discuss an armistice.

Cersei: She just won a great victory. Why would she want a truce now?

Jaime: Because an army of dead men is marching on the Seven Kingdoms. Tyrion claims he'll have proof.

Cersei smirks and looks away from Jaime.

Cersei: Are you going to punish him?

Jaime: Tyrion?

Cersei: Bronn.

Jaime looks confused.

Cersei: He betrayed you. He set up a meeting without your knowledge or consent. Do you think anything of importance happens in this city without me knowing?

Jaime shakes his head.

Jaime: You let it happen. Why?

Cersei: I've come to believe that accommodation with the Dragon Queen could be in our immediate interest. She has the numbers. If we want to beat her, we have to be clever. We have to fight her like father would have. Dead men, dragons, and Dragon Queens—whatever stands in our way, we will defeat it ourselves for our house. For this.

Cersei lifts her hands from the chair and places them both on her stomach, indicating she's pregnant. Jaime looks shocked.

Jaime: Who will you say is the father?

Cersei: You.

Jaime: People won't like that.

Cersei stands from her chair and walks in front of Jaime.

Cersei: Do you remember what father used to say about people?

Jaime: The lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of the sheep.

Jaime reaches forward, takes Cersei, and kisses her. While they embrace, Cersei speaks to Jaime.

Cersei: Never betray me again.

DRAGONSTONE - BEACH

Gendry and Davos are walking down the beach near the Dragonglass cave. Groups of men are carrying boxes filled with Dragonglass out of the cave. Davos and Gendry are having a conversation.

Davos: We're leaving today. The king's got a lot on his mind.

Gendry: I understand.

Davos: He doesn't need to be thinking about harboring the bastard of a dead king.

Gendry: You don't have to worry.

Davos: You're just Clovis, a smith who's come to pay his respects before he heads off to work at the Winterfell forges.