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

Ch-16:- Homecoming

One month later...

Rhaegar was exploring the turrets of Casterly Rock, when he suddenly saw a procession of carriages, one bearing the banner of a sun-and-spear. Sun and spear, Rhaegar mused. Sunspear. Mother had told him that there were Dornish people coming, along with Lady Joanna's daughter. Rhaegar ran down the turret, startling the guard keeping watch. 'Seven hells!' he exclaimed. Rhaegar jumped back. 'My apologies, Ser.' he mumbled. The guard stared at him, as he ran, picking up pace quickly. 'Your Grace?' he questioned.

Rhaegar, in his excitement, did not hear the man's surprised gasp. He did not stop till he reached his mother's chambers. Rhaella was standing at the window, looking out at the Sunset Sea. She turned at the sound of Rhaegar's footsteps and smiled. 'Good morning, little hero. Have you broken your fast?' He shook his head. 'Mama, there are many carriages arriving here!' he exclaimed.

'You said-' he was cut off mid-sentence by the arrival of a Kingsguard, who bowed. 'Your Grace, Lady Joanna has informed that the Dornish Princess, her entourage and Lady Cynthia will be arriving soon, in an hour or two.' 'Thank you, Ser Barristan.' Rhaella replied. She held out her hand. 'Come, Rhaegar.' He took it obediently. Soon, mother and son were at the Great Hall, eating companionably, Rhaella making small talk with Joanna. Rhaegar sat close to her.

Perhaps, she thought, I coddle him too much. She sighed. She did not have a choice. Having finished eating, she stood, and strode from the Hall, her son following closing behind. Aerys was slowly losing control, and she was the only shield her son had against this hostile world. Apart from that, he was the anchor she had to this world, to sanity. He smiled up innocently at her, bounding off happily. She took a deep breath. Hers was a stormy family. One day, she thought. One day will come for us all...

Elia stumbled a little. 'Oh!' apologized Cynthia. 'I'm sorry!' Elia shook her head. She really did not mind Cynthia's horseplay. Cynthia needed to let off some steam, and it distracted Elia from the monotony of the journey in the wheelhouse. The long travel made her feel fatigued, disoriented and dizzy. Her health had always been frail, as her mother put it, and travel only increased her difficulties.

Fortunately, they had already passed the giant, gaping cavern called the Lion's Mouth. Casterly Rock was just a short distance away. Cynthia was literally bouncing in her seat. Suddenly she grinned, pointing.

Ah, Elia thought, there it is. Casterly Rock exactly matched Cynthia's descriptions, a giant, arching structure. However, there was something rustic, almost natural to the castle. The wheelhouse finally came to a blessedly smooth stop. In a jiffy, Cynthia was out. Elia laughed.

Cynthia literally tore out of the stupid wheelhouse, grinning from ear to ear. She was finally home! Instantly, her mother wrapped her in a hug. 'I missed you, my little tempest.' she whispered. Hearing her voice made Cynthia feel warm inside. She slowly let go of Mother, and looked at Father, who nodded, eyes twinkling. He was in a good mood today. Cynthia dared to hope for some affection.

'Cynthia.' he greeted, coldly as ever, as if they had last seen each other at breakfast. She swallowed her rage. She had been foolish to hope, after all. 'Rest a little, then get ready. We have a feast at sundown.' he declared. Cynthia nodded, bowing her head. Waving at Elia and Oberyn, she ran inside, collapsing on her bed, and slept soundly.

Joanna laughed. Arielle was regaling her with stories of Cynthia's exploits in Dorne. 'Arielle' she gasped. 'I don't know how you managed her.' 'I don't, either.' Arielle retorted. 'Come.' Joanna beckoned her friend inside. '

Mother, Lady Joanna,' asked Arielle's daughter, Elia, 'Where's Cynthia?' 'Upstairs.' Joanna directed her. 'She was tired. I suppose she tired you out with her antics, too?' Elia nodded. 'She was quite boisterous, My Lady.' 'She usually is.' Joanna smiled. 'You can join her in her rooms. The girl left them gratefully.

Joanna and Arielle had a nice time catching up with each other, when Joanna suddenly stood. 'I need to prepare for the feast, Arielle.' she explained. 'I am sorry for taking up so much of your time.' 'Not at all, Jo.' her friend rejoined courteously. 'Let me accompany you.' The two friends walked side by side to the kitchens.

Oberyn Martell, meanwhile, had sneaked out of his mother's careful scrutiny, and was meandering in Casterly Rock's glass gardens, looking at the lush flora of the greenhouse. He heard a childish voice recite 'Honeysuckle, Peonies, Moon Orchids, Magnolia, and-' he cut off in thought. 'What did Maester tell me about this?' he wondered aloud. 'It's a foxglove flower.' piped in Oberyn. The boy turned. He was younger than Oberyn, about Cynthia's age. He looked... foreign. 'You look stranger than most Westerosi.' remarked Oberyn. 'Are you Essosi?' he asked.

Rhaegar, flummoxed at the unexpected question, shook his head, wondering who this strange person was.

Then, it hit him. This was a Dornish boy, who was peering at him. Probably Prince Oberyn. 'No.' the Prince (if it was him.) concluded. 'You are Westerosi. Maesters are found only there.' Rhaegar was quite befuddled. Were the Dornish not Westerosi?

Nonetheless, he inclined his head. 'An honor, Prince Oberyn.' The Prince looked at him. 'The honor is mine-' 'Rhaegar.' he supplied. 'Rhaegar.' Oberyn repeated.

Just then, the sound of footsteps came. Rhaegar glanced around nervously. It was, indeed, a search party. 'Rhaegar!' his mother called, apparently angry. 'Rhaegar Targaryen, answer me this instant!' Her ultimatum was followed by Ser Gerold Hightower insistently calling, 'Prince Rhaegar!' Rhaegar looked at Prince Oberyn, who was gaping at him. 'Well' thought Rhaegar, 'You are certainly no help.' He sighed, and turned to face the fury.

Rhaella, it turned out, was more concerned than angry. After a superficial telling-off, she asked 'Who is this, arching an eyebrow at the Dornish Prince.. 'Oberyn Martell, Your Grace.' he introduced himself. 'Right, Rhaegar, Oberyn, best get ready. The feast is about to start.' Rhaegar nodded. As soon as Rhaella's back was turned, he winked at Oberyn and allowed himself to be led away by Ser Harlan Grandison. 'See you at the feast.' he promised.

Sure enough, Rhaegar was at the feast, talking to Cynthia, when Oberyn walked in, firmly escorted by Mother and Lady Joanna, who was carrying her twins with her. Queen Rhaella was sitting next to Cynthia and Rhaegar, keeping a watchful eye on them.

Oberyn sauntered over to them, grinning, as Arielle and Joanna sat next to the Queen. Cynthia was frankly fascinated by her siblings, who were, surprisingly, awake for the feast. Elia joined her, cooing over the babies.

Suddenly, the little boy- Jaime? Squirmed, reaching out and grabbing Rhaegar's silvery blond hair. 'Jaime!' reproached Cynthia. Instantly, he let go. 'Sorry,' apologized Cynthia. 'He's just curious.' Indeed, the boy was staring quite intently at the silvery tendrils of Rhaegar's hair in his hands.

They all laughed, even the ladies. 'Well,' giggled Rhaegar, 'I think I will like you, Jaime. I quite admire your spirit.' The little boy gurgled, and the feast went merrily on its way, exhausting everyone at the end.         

Notes:

What do you think about an Arthur/Aerys POV next chapter? Reviews are love, peeps, so are comments!