Not Just a Kingslayer

Chapter 21

Jaime rushed to Daena, leaping over the dazed man on the floor. She hadn't moved from her position and had begun to cry. "Daena, what happened? Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" He took her small hands in his own and planted kisses all over her face and neck. "Don't cry, Daena, please, I can't bear to see you like this." He cupped her cheek in his hand, kissing the tears from her face. "Say something, Daena. Say anything." His voice was getting more and more desperate.

He stood beside her for what felt like hours, but must only have been minutes. Finally, he heard a tiny voice. "Jaime," Daena whispered.

"Oh thank the Seven," he gasped, placing more kisses all over her face. "I was so worried Daena. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't okay."

She curled closer to him, pressing her face against his chest, and he relaxed, just holding her. They stayed like that for what could've been days, until a noise behind Jaime made him turn around. Petyr was trying to sneak away. Jaime cursed softly, placing Daena on the bed before knocking Petyr back into the wall so that he fell down again. "Daena, I need to bring him to the dungeons."

"Please don't leave me here alone," she said, in a whisper.

Sorrow crossed his face. How could I allow this to happen? "Don't worry, my love, just a moment then." He stepped halfway into the hallway, staying partially inside both so Daena could see him and to keep an eye on Petyr. He saw a white cloak down the hallway and called out,"Ser!"

Ser Loras turned and walked down the hall towards him. "Lord Commander. I didn't know you were back."

Jaime sighed. "It doesn't matter right now. Would you please bring the Lady Brienne here? Tell her I'm sorry but it's urgent."

"Of course. May I ask why?"

"No. You may not." He slammed the door in Ser Loras' face.

Brienne arrived a few minutes later to find Jaime holding Daena in his arms, whispering in her ear. Petyr had given up trying to get up, having been slammed into the wall a third time. "Jaime?" Brienne said in a quiet voice,"What happened here?"

He waited a full two minutes before turning to her, looking as though he wouldn't see something right in front of his face. His face cleared, and a glare came across it as he turned to Petyr. "This sorry excuse for a man tried to rape my wife. I need to bring him to the dungeons. Would you stay with Daena?"

"I could take care of him as well as you, if you want to stay with her."

"I know. But I want to," he said, his gaze darkening. He kissed Daena on the forehead and laid her down gently before slinging Petyr over his shoulder as he had to Cersei months ago. "Thank you," he said softly to Brienne before leaving.

Brienne turned to Daena, unsure what to do. She took a step forward. "Are you alright, my lady?"

Daena took so long to reply that Brienne wasn't even sure if she was conscious. When she did, she pulled herself slowly up into a sitting position and said,"I could be worse, I suppose...Perhaps some talk will cheer me up. You are Brienne?" She sounded fairly cheerful, but it didn't completely mask the horror remaining in her eyes, or the slight tremble of her hands. She managed a small, shaky smile though.

The big woman gaped at her. "You know of me?"

"Of course. Jaime has told me much about you."

Brienne blushed. "And you're Daena."

"You know of me?" Daena sounded truly surprised.

"He speaks of you as well."

"And of..." she broke off, frowning.

"Yes, her too." Brienne sighed. "Jaime saved me from rapists once too, you know." Then she gasped. "I shouldn't have said that, my lady, I'm so sorry!"

Daena cut her off with a genuine smile. "No it's alright, tell me more."

Brienne smiled back, infected with Daena's spirit. "Well he told them I was worth my weight in sapphires." She laughed. "None of them knew that Tarth gets its name from its waters."

Daena laughed with her, before settling down into a peaceful silence.

"He loves you, you know," Brienne said.

"I know," Daena replied with a sad smile.

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Jaime stormed through the halls of the Red Keep with Petyr slung over his shoulder. He'd nearly killed him but had restrained himself with some difficulty. He heard a desperate voice coming from Petyr.

"I won't pretend that I'm not at fault, ser, but I'm not the only one."

Jaime tightened his grip, and with his voice dropping dangerously low, said,"Are you implying that Daena was at fault?"

"No," he said quickly, betraying his fear. "Her Grace told me to. Your sister."

Jaime dropped him, relishing in the sound of his head cracking against the floor. "Ser," he called, looking around the corner and seeing a white cloak,"bring this man to the dungeons."