The Wolf and The Lion || Jaime Lannister

Seventeen

Rayna

In the throne room I stand before the young king seated on the Iron Throne. Jaimes bastard son.
"Your Grace", I say submissively as I kneel. I already swore my loyalty to him weeks ago as part of the terms for my release from the Black Cells.
"Lady Rayna, what is it?", he asks impatiently.
"I have been speaking to your grandfather Tywin Lannister"
"Yes I have heard, when he comes whatever alliance he has worked out will be finalised until then I cannot help you"
Meaning that he doesn't deal with politics. He just sits on that throne and enjoys the power it gives him.
"I understand your Grace, I am asking for your mercy and for a favour", I say very carefully
"Favour?", he scoffs "You are the daughter of a traitor, you attacked my guards"
I remember that Cersei said he was impressed, anything with blood seems to impress him.
"For that I apologise your Grace, I feared they came to kill and not to capture, I was but a frightened girl", I say weakly as I swallow my disgust at pretending to be so weak "My time in the cells following the event set me straight",
"Fair enough, I suppose it may have seemed rather frightening" he considers "And besides I was impressed by the bodies you left"
There it is. The sadist in him showing itself.
"The alliance with Lord Tywin, what do you know of it?" I ask carefully, fully aware that the throne room listening.
"That you will wed my uncle Jaime because of your condition as I have been informed", he announces and I wonder who else knows. I'm beginning to show but as long as I dress carefully no one can tell unless they look carefully. Murmurs fill the room and I know that it is now no longer a secret.
"It is true that I carry your cousin your Grace. However it is regrettable that the child was conceived out of wedlock, your uncle and I were waiting for your grandfather Tywin to arrive to ask him to bless our engagement", I say feeling sick as I realise I'm carrying Joffreys brother in my belly.
"Well it isn't the most depraved act", he says clearing his throat awkwardly "I've been informed that if you are wed before the child is born that all will be well"
"Yes and my Father shall swear that you are the rightful King and shall swear fealty"
"As he should", he says darkly and I know that I must tread carefully.
"My Father does not yet know of this alliance, I ask that your Grace will allow me to speak to him to assure he will swear fealty"
"A reasonable request, why have you come to me and not my mother", he asks curiously. He is a young, power hungry man. Boosting his ego will be most valuable.
"You are the king", I tell him and he immediately looks pleased "Your Mother is a wise woman but I feel that my condition has brought her offence, and I wanted to speak to your Grace personally and take the opportunity to show my good will towards your reign", I continue being extremely careful of every word "If this alliance is finalised I will be Lady Lannister and my sister will be your loyal wife, allow me to right my Fathers wrongs and bring peace between the Starks, the Lannister's and the Baratheons"
Although he takes a moment to consider what I've said I can tell he is pleased by my fealty. It is so strange knowing he is Jaime's son. I press a hand over my stomach and pray that our child is nothing like Joffrey.
"I may be wrong about you Starks, you are actually reasonable", he says seeming pleased, especially as he knows that this will not please his mother.
"Thank you your Grace", I smile politely.
"I will grant your request to see your Father"
Oh thank the gods.
"I am grateful and thankful for your kindness your Grace", I say before I rise to my feet.
He looks to several of his guards "Since you will soon be my aunt by law and a member of my family you should be treated as one. Allow my guards to escort you through the cells to ensure your safety and if you find need of them they are yours"
"You are very kind your grace", I smile being more pleasantly surprised then I had expected to be.
I bow my head towards Jaimes bastard and am escorted through the Red Keep. I am the eldest Stark, my brother can wage his war and my father may seek to expose the truth but if we want to survive we must play the game of thrones.
"What is this?", Cersei asks as she approaches me, when as I stop the guards halt.
"The King has been very gracious and permitted me to see my Father to discuss the alliance with him and instructed guards to escort me to see I arrive safely, and since I am soon to be a Lannister that if I have need of them they are mine to command"
"The alliance", she scoffs "I will not hear of it".
"No you won't, but the King has, and so has your father", I inform her "When my father swears fealty I shall be wed to Jaime, and until then I am under Tywins protection"
And with that I continue walking and I can't help the smile that crosses my face at the dumbstruck look on her face.