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

Ch-13:- News from North

Hey, people!
First of all, thanks for sticking with me through my very infrequent updates. (Sorry!) I'd really appreciate a few reviews, please!
Moving on, let's get on with the story...
Incidentally, my birthday is on 21st November (The 21st day of the 11th month). Haha.
Note:- In this AU, Joanna is not yet a very close friend of Rhaella's though she was at King's Landing before Jaime and Cersei's birth, preferring to remain at Tywin's side. Now, however, she is worried for him, and thus tries to befriend the Queen. Also, Prince Lewyn is 22 at this point, and does not become a Kingsguard until he's 26.

'Cynthia!' someone called. She turned, lost in thought. Cynthia was really enjoying life in Dorne, and had a deep love for the land, with its undulating deserts and its perpetual sunny days. Sunspear, the Martell castle, was truly picturesque, a dainty and graceful structure. Its tall spires flowed to the skies, emblazoned with the Martell sun and spear, along with the words of their house. 'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken', it proclaimed proudly. 'Admiring the view, aren't you?' She nodded absently. A hand gently shook her shoulder.

'Cynthia. A raven is for you.' Interest quickly piqued, she queried, 'What is the news?' In response, Princess Elia handed over the letter to her. It was sealed with the red wax of her House. She tore it open, as Princess Elia laughed. 'Whoa, there. Easy.' Cynthia cared not. She focused her gaze on the parchment.

'Dearest Cynthia' it began. 'Daughter, I am glad beyond words to be able to inform you that on the 21st day of the 11th month on 266 AC, your mother gave birth to the twins Jaime and Cersei. However, I also bring dire tidings with this happy news. Your grandfather, Lord Tytos Lannister, passed away shortly after their birth from a burst heart. Taking this into consideration, I have instructed Princess Arielle to send you back immediately.' She did not read more than that, so overwhelmed was she.

Cynthia's mind was a kaleidoscope of emotions. She was overjoyed that her brother and sister had been born but was saddened by the death of her grandfather, whom she had not been particularly close to, having spent most of her life in King's Landing, with her parents. Nevertheless, she was practically overflowing with excitement, grinning from ear to ear, despite the cold tone of the letter. 'Like what you see?' asked Elia playfully. Cynthia nodded vigorously and started blabbing excitedly 'I'm going home!' she enthused. 'To Father! And Mamma! And a baby brother and sister!' Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Elia found herself laughing along.

Cynthia looked quite fetching, in fact, with flushed rosy cheeks, disheveled golden hair, and clear, sparkling green eyes. Elia had often seen Cynthia beg her brother Oberyn for sword lessons scores of times. Oberyn had always laughed and refused, yet she had persisted, little spitfire that she was. Finally, Oberyn had found her one day,trying to disembowel a straw dummy. That day, he had laughingly given her his consent.

Now, she was a budding warrior, her long tapering fingers callused with daily training. She was actually giving Oberyn a decent fight in the recent days. Elia laughed out loud, a chiming sound that echoed through the room. Cynthia turned to her, surprised. 'Lord Tywin would indeed be displeased to see his daughter as a swordswoman.' Cynthia shrugged. 'He will have to accept me for who I am.'

The door opened and Oberyn chimed in. 'Spoken like a true warrior!' Cynthia bowed theatrically. 'Thank you, Prince Oberyn,' Oberyn grinned, then sobered up. 'Mother's sent for all of us.' At that, Cynthia leaped up from the bed, and Elia rose immediately. It was a measure of the respect the Dornish Princess commanded that everyone was instantly alert.

They all trooped out of Elia's room quietly and proceeded in an orderly manner to the Ruling Lady's solar. 'What has mother called us for?' asked Elia. 'Something about Lord Lannister, I think.' mumbled Oberyn. 'Father?' inquired Cynthia. Her brother nodded and was about to say something when they spotted Arthur Dayne, a boy of thirteen who squired for Prince Lewyn Martell.

Elia smiled at her oldest friend, which, of course, led to merciless teasing. 'Elia's Sweetheart', Oberyn had dubbed him, though Cynthia was also quite close to Arthur. Indeed, she called out to him, 'Arthur! Are you busy?' He nodded. 'I need to clean the Prince's armor. However, I can spare time for our lesson.' Ah, so that was the secret to Cynthia's success. Secret lessons withe Arthur Dayne, she mused. Arthur was quite a swordsman, besting full-grown men at times. Elia smirked at Cynthia, and Oberyn glared at her.

Soon, they reached the Princess's solar. Oberyn knocked at the door, three impatient knocks in quick succession. 'Come in.' came a lilting voice. Mother's voice. They entered the solar together. Princess Arielle turned to Cynthia. 'I am happy and sad for you in equal measure, my child.' Cynthia bowed her head. 'Thank you, Your Grace.' she replied faintly. The Princess then focused her attention on her children. 'I have news for you, my darlings.' she announced.

Oberyn, ever impatient asked, 'What is it?' 'Letters for you from Doran in Godsgrace.' Doran, her elder brother, was squiring in Godsgrace for Lord Eric Gargalen, father's brother. Her father had died in the war of the Ninepenny Kings. Oberyn grabbed the envelope. 'Elia!' she called. Elia went to her side. 'My child, would you like to be with Cynthia for a while longer?' Nonplussed, Elia nodded. 'Good.' smiled Arielle. 'Even I miss Joanna very much. I heard that the Royal Family was also at Casterly Rock after Lord Tytos's death.' She looked to Cynthia for confirmation, who nodded. Lord Tywin's letter had included news of the Royal visit, too, but she had skipped it at the first read, being anxious for her mother. 'Yes, your father's letter mentioned that.' Arielle remarked. Then, she smiled. 'Get ready, my dears, we all are going to Casterly Rock with Cynthia.'

Notes:

Hope you all liked it! (Especially Cynthia and the Dornish characters). Does anyone have any idea about how I should write the Tullys, the Greyjoys, the Arryns and the Baratheons? If so, please reply!
Anyway, in the next chapter, things will pick right back up at Casterly Rock...