Ser Jaime Didn't Die Protecting His Queen

In which Tyrion becomes a Queenslayer and Jaime's arc has an actual purpose.

Tyrion had tried to ask Jon for help, they had been both devoted to Daenerys, believed in her cause and would have never imagined this outcome. Jon was haunted by honor and love, to force the boy to act was cruel, so Tyrion gathered all the courage he could find inside of him and decided to take the task in his hands.

He found Daenerys in the Throne Room, he had not been there in what seemed like two lifetimes away, the ashes and broken mirrors gave the place a perfect atmosphere, fitting for this bitter crime.

She didn't face him, instead she began listing all that she would do now as Queen, dismissing the casualties of the once grand population of Kingslanding, she spoke of this having been the only way for peace, as if saying it out loud made her sure of being good.

Tyrion stood right behind her, he could feel himself shaking, it was almost painful, an impossible duty, he couldn't do it... suddenly he pictured Jaime at age 17, torn between his oath to protect King Aerys and the possibility to save the Kingdom. Daenerys wasn't her father, but her peace was not peace.

He put his sword through her back.

By the time Jon arrived to the Throne Room he found Tyrion on the floor holding Dany's body gently, his tears falling into her peaceful expression and open eyes.

He thought Jon would kill him, he had committed treason, however the Stark man protected him from Drogon, and when Greyworm finally arrived they were both taken prisoners.

Jon and him didn't speak, but both knew it needed to be done, the woman who had destroyed Kingslanding had nothing left of the Daenerys they both had loved.

Tyrion was at peace knowing he had acted with honor and not for himself, as for his dear brother, he knew Sansa would open the doors to Jaime in gratitude for him. His once wife was now his political ally.

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They were on the half way to the North when Jaime had begun to recover, Davos barely spoke with him, but took the time to explain he was only helping him because Tyrion had asked.

Jaime hated the thought of his brother being captured by Daenerys's armies, but he also knew that in his condition he would never be able to stand a fight, the fact that he was even breathing seemed already impossible, but he was planning on pleading for Sansa's help to recover Tyrion, he wouldn't be able to offer anything in return, except his bruised and rotted loyalty.

"Why did you go back?" Davos asked him one night as they sat around a fire cooking a squirrel. His tone was rough and filled with anger, the old man could be scary if intended.

Jaime looked away, and for the first time he allowed himself to explain his actions:
"Cersei was pregnant. I knew Daenerys Targaryen would lose her mind in battle when I heard her second dragon was struck down, Cersei was to blame and I thought that I might be able to save my child. Wouldn't have you done the same?"

"I lost a son and a girl I loved as my own"

"And I lost four" he said in an even lower voice "I don't ask for your empathy Ser Davos; I have nothing but gratitude towards you. I know what I am, I know all the bad I've done, but I couldn't bare the thought of losing another child of mine"

Davos said no more and in the following days Jaime noticed the old man had relaxed around him.
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Jaime was brought in chains to Sansa Stark, he had almost laughed, they had to put a chain around his whole body so his left hand could be guarded.

Brienne was nowhere to be seen, it was strange, she must have asked Sansa to spare her seeing him since she was her sworn sword. He couldn't even think of seeing Brienne, how could he? He had hurt her, he hated himself for it, he was not a good man, he would never deserve her.

Davos appeared by his side, and explained the contents of his previous letter, and Tyrion's plead that she could accept Jaime in the North. Sansa Stark's piercing gaze intimidated him, she reminded him of Catelyn Stark, the damn woman would have been proud.

"Tyrion saved the Seven Kingdoms from any further destruction; the North is thankful, and we won't forget it. Jaime Lannister may stay in the Northern territory until he has recovered completely, afterwards he must leave." Sansa spoke of him, but didn't turn to spare him a glance.

"Lady Sansa" Jaime found himself saying "I know I am in no position to have a word in this but- "

"No, you are not" She interrupted him, her eyes still on Ser Davos.

"But" he continued despite the correction "we all owe Tyrion our lives. I plead you to ask for his life and freedom"

"The recovery of Jon Snow, the King in the North is and will be our priority in the negotiations"

"But not the man who saved the Seven Kingdoms? My Lady, my brother was never a warrior not even a good fighter, but he did what no else was brave enough to do"

Sansa Stark's eyes finally turned to him, they pierced his soul, a glint of hatred towards him shined.

"Sansa" Bran Stark suddenly called her; Jaime hadn't even noticed he was there "Tyrion and Jaime Lannister fought for the North in the Long Night, and Tyrion has fulfilled his part with Daenerys Targaryen"

The woman composed herself and spoke again "We will see for your brother's life as if he was one of our own"

"And I will take Jaime Lannister as my sworn sword" Bran spoke once more.

Jaime had to blink a couple of times to process what he had been told. The boy who he was responsible of crippling was asking him to be sworn to him, to protect his life and causes?

Even Ser Davos and Sansa had turned to Bran in surprise.

"That is if he accepts" Bran added.

"Of course, My Lord" Jaime answered right away.

He could hear Sansa protests, but his chains were taken off and he was standing before Brandon Stark, someone one had handed him a sword and he swore a loyalty oath before him.

Only then he faced the rest of the room and found Brienne close to the door, he couldn't help but to stare in awe, he had been such an idiot.

He couldn't say anything to her, but hoped his eyes spoke all the things he left unsaid and wished to exclaim; she left the room.

"Ser Jaime Lannister" Bran called him "we must speak in private, take me to my chambers"

Jaime pushed his Lord's chair with his good hand in a slow but steady step.

"Why?" was all he could ask to so many questions.

Bran stared back "You did this to Brandon Stark; it is only fair you pay with your service"

"I have no honor"

"You don't? I saw you giving away your own interests to save Kings Landing from Aerys, I saw you be faithful to your sister until the end of her days, protecting Tyrion as much as you could, losing your own hand to save a woman's virtue. I don't see honor; I know you have honor."

Jaime bent down in front of him "I will remain loyal to you until the last of my days"

"I know, arise Ser Jaime Lannister, we have much work to do"