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

Ch-20:- Changes, and reactions

Summary:        Letters and arrivals...   

Notes:        Hey!

Sorry    for the late chapter, but hope you enjoy! Note:- There is a   slight    time jump...

Dear Arthur,Arthur paused in his reading of the letter. It was from Cynthia. I am having a very good time at the Rock. Mother's the happiest I have ever seen her to be. Well, she would be, I suppose. Recalling Cynthia's excitement before going to Casterly Rock, Arthur supposed that Cynthia was rather happy too.Jaime,my younger brother, is livening up her days, toddling after her all the time. For two people who look like reflections of each other, the twins have rather different personalities. It is very funny to see Jaime try and teach Cersei to walk, and fall down himself! Father is rather mad at me for our sword practices, though I don't really care.

He knew she would not. He continued reading the letter. Elia and Oberyn left with all the other Dornish a few days ago. So did the Royal Family. I have no one to practice swords with now! I did practice with Rhaegar, the Prince, though he wasn't very good. Well,there's this boy my age, Addam Marbrand, though he's too scared to do it with me. Unfair! What about you, Arthur? Are you going to the Water Gardens regularly? Did you see your brother? Or your sister? I really miss the hot sands of Dorne. I'll write more later, Septa's angry at me!

Love,

Cynthia.

Arthur laughed. He could very well imagine Cynthia running away from a very angry Septa. As for Lord Tywin, his displeasure would not deter Cynthia from sparring, Arthur knew. Princess Arielle had not arrived yet, and a lot of quarrels were erupting among the hot-blooded Dornish Lords.

'Arthur!'called Maester Vylarr. He turned. "Yes, Maester?' 'There is a letter for you and Lord Alnair.' the Maester informed him. Arthur looked at the letter. It was sealed with the purple wax of House Dayne. 'Me and Alnair?' he asked. Such a letter is usually just for Alnair's eyes. The Maester, however, nodded. Brow furrowed in confusion, Arthur took the letter and ran to find Alnair, Cynthia's missive all but forgotten.

Rhaegar grinned. He was back home, back at the Red Keep. Mama was also joyful. She was rarely happy, so every moment was special to him.Mama had told Rhaegar that he was going to be a big brother, just like Cynthia was a big sister now. She had even let him feel the babe kick inside her. Father was also nice nowadays, always attentive to Mama. They had returned from Casterly Rock a week ago, and Cynthia had told him that her family would be coming to Kings Landing shortly.

'Prince Rhaegar!', Grand Maester Pycelle was calling him. It was time for his lessons. They were doing Targaryen History. Grand Maester Pycelle's voice was like parchment crumbling, and Rhaegar struggled to concentrate. 'As I was saying, King Aegon the Fifth was called Aegon the Unlikely for one simple reason. He was the fourth son of King Maekar Targaryen, himself the fourth son of King Daeron the Good.

Curiosity aroused, Rhaegar queried, "What happened to King Maekar's other sons?' "King Maekar's first son, Prince Daeron, died of the pox,leaving behind a daughter. His second son, Prince Aerion, was exiled to Lys-' 'Aerion Brightflame!' exclaimed Rhaegar.

Pycelle looked irritated, but nodded. 'His third son is a Maester of the Citadel. Maester Aemon.' Rhaegar was shocked. A Prince of the Blood became a Maester?' he interjected.

'So he did. At the Great Council after King Maekar's demise, he supported his brother's ascension, and swore the vows of the Night's Watch,further severing the line between him and the Iron Throne. 'Is he still there, Maester?' Rhaegar had to know. 'Mayhaps, My Prince.'came the reply. Chains clanking, Pycelle stood. 'That is enough for today,' he wheezed, departing.

Rhaegar assimilated this new information. Perhaps Maester Aemon knows of the prophecy, he thought. He then scanned the volumes of Targaryen history, determined to know more.

Cynthia laughed. Watching Mother teach the twins talk was certainly amusing. Cersei was quite a vocal child, though she hadn't mastered walking yet. Jaime was just the opposite. He ran here, there and everywhere,yet struggled in his words. He was slowly learning, though. He could say 'mama' and 'papa', and several other simple words, and Cynthia decided to teach him names.

She pointed to Mother. The boy grinned. He grinned very easily, this brother of hers. 'Mama!' he exclaimed, running to her. She pointed to Cersei then. 'Sei!' the boy replied. She nodded, smiling. Cynthia then pointed to herself. Jaime looked confused. 'Cynthia' she pronounced her name slowly. "Cindy' he replied, lisping her name. 'No.' Cynthia shook her head. 'Cynthia,' she repeated. He scrunched up his face. 'Cindy-a' he tried.

'Cindy it is!' Joanna declared, smiling. He immediately climbed up on her lap, clear forest green eyes looking up at her. Cersei crawled up to them, and let out a tinkling laugh. Joanna looked at her precious children, laughing at each other, and almost felt content. Almost.The time had come for them to leave for Kings Landing, for Tywin to return to his duties. The King's desire for her was apparent, and Queen Rhaella was aware of that. So was Tywin. This may not end well, she mused sadly.

Sunspear was bustling with people, eager to welcome the Martells home. Elia smiled. Home. Mother looked at her. 'Ah! The sweet flavor of Dorne.'she exclaimed. Elia could hear the uncertainty in her voice, sense the seething tension around them. 'Mother?' she asked. 'Is aught amiss?'

Uncle Lewyn was standing at the gates, the actual inner gates, ready to welcome them. He hugged Elia, Oberyn and Mother in turn. 'Welcome home.' He greeted them. 'All the Dornish Lords are awaiting your pleasure, Arielle, save Alnair Dayne.' Lewyn told Arielle. At the mention of Arthur's brother, Elia found him in the crowd, standing near Uncle Lewyn.

'What happened?' asked Arielle. 'Father has taken ill, Your Grace.' Arthur replied. His face matched his voice, both emotionless. His eyes alone glittered with profound sadness, Elia noticed. Arielle nodded, but Elia's eyes were focused on her friend's violet orbs, as she reflected that Oberyn had not exaggerated, after all. Elia shook her head. Arthur was a dear friend, nothing more.

'My regrets.' Elia heard Mother say. 'I do hope Lord Dayne recovers soon,Arthur,' Elia addressed him. The older boy nodded. He seems more solemn than usual, Elia thought, as she followed her mother back to their rooms.

Rhaegar sat in his chamber, scrutinizing the text of a book. What was the Song of Ice and Fire? He sat poring over obscure tomes, searching for the elusive answer. The Prince Who Was Promised was to be Targaryen,that was certain, because the King thought that it was to be Rhaegar. Fire stood for...Dragons? Fire and Blood. Dragons. Ice was for? He scanned the book of long ago history.

For days, the prophecy was always in his thoughts. Ice could stand for Winter, perhaps? At any rate...

Rhaegar stood. He looked outside the window of his room, at the Sword Practice Yards, and bit back a grimace. If I am the Prince Who Was Promised, I need to be a warrior, he thought. For mine will be the Song of Ice and Fire...

Willem Darry ducked. As Master-At-Arms of the Red Keep, it was his duty to keep the knights and men-at-arms in the King's service in fighting shape. Currently, Ser Barristan Selmy was his opponent and Willem was losing slowly but surely. Just when he was about to be disarmed, a voice called, 'Ser Darry?'

Ser Barristan dropped his sword and bowed. Prince Rhaegar was looking up at Willem. 'Your Grace,' he bowed. 'I would need a sword and shield,Ser,' commanded the little Prince. 'It seems I must be a warrior.'

    Notes: - So,    how was it? I enjoyed writing Jaime and Cersei as cute 'lil babies!    I always think of Jaime favoring Joanna in his looks, and Cersei    favoring Tywin. Also, Jaime has a very close relationship with his    mother here. Feedback appreciated. :)