The Lion and the Warrior

Golden Dragons and Ravens

Jamie took James to the stables to saddle up and go for ride. They saddled their horse and Jamie had just helped James up and sat him on the horse.

"Ser Jaime! Pardon me, a raven from Lord Tyrion."

"Thank you."

"Bloody hell!" James said in annoyance, jumping from the horse.

"What are you doing, son? Looking to break a leg?"

"No. But now we're not going riding."

"Why?" Jamie asked with amusement.

"Uncle Tyrion sent a raven from King's Landing, and now you have to run and tell mommy all about it because it's very important. Then you and mommy are going to sit and frown quietly, and think about it."

"That doesn't happen. Does it?"

"Every time."

Jaime put James back on the horse. "We can ride to tell mommy."

"See?"

"It might be a happy kind of letter." James looked back at him and gave him the evil eye, "I'll give you two gold dragons if you're right," Jaime said.

"Four."

"Four!?"

"Come on daddy, don't make me go up in gold."

"Okay, okay. If you're right, then I will give you four gold dragons."

They rode back to the castle and went to look for Brienne. "Mommyyyyyyy!"

"She is upstairs Lord James," said one of the maids. James took off running up the stairs, "Come on daddy, let's go." The maid looked to Jaime with intrigue, "He wants his money." Jamie said with a smile and ran after his son.

"Mommy? Where are you?"

"I'm here, James!" She called from the library, "I thought you and Ser Jaime were out riding, what happened?"

"Tyrion sent this." Jaime held up the scroll for her too see.

"Have you read it?"

"No."

"Well, open it, let's see."

Jaime opened the scroll and read it silently. He handed the scroll over to Brienne, two gold dragons to James and sat in the chair next to Brienne.

"A Lannister always pays his debts. Thank you, Ser Jaime."

"Did you just give him gold coins!?" Brienne laughed out loud.

"Wait a minute. We agreed on four." James protested.

"What are you doing?" Brienne asked with a grin.

"Oh, yes. We did. Well, I don't have two more with me so...I will have to pay you later."

"You're not being very Lannister-like today are you, Ser Jaime?" Brienne laughed.

"You are not helping, Ser Brienne." Jaime smiled.

"If you don't have the gold, I'll just take a sword instead." James said in a serious tone.

Brienne looked at Jaime with a huge smile, trying her hardest not to laugh.

"Well, you are a Lannister through and through! Demanding like your Grandfather Tywin, clever like your Uncle Tryion, and ruthless like your Aunt..." Jaime caught himself and looked to Brienne and back at James, "Go play. A Lannister always pays his debts. And I will pay mine at dinner. Go on."

When James was out of the room, Brienne got up and went over to Jaime, sitting on his lap. "You know what this means. This is not just an invitation for a friendly visit. They want something." She leaned her head against his and closed her eyes.

"You knew this day would come. And neither of us can say we are disappointed," Jaime replied.

"I didn't know...but I would not be truthful if I didn't admit I was hopeful."

"This place can rather dull at times."

"So when are we leaving?" She asked.

"Can we think about this for a few days? I mean, are we sure want to just to run off and save the world again?"

"Absolutely." she giggled.

"Right." he said kissing her.

James walked in and caught his parents kissing. They didn't notice him until, "vavoomp!"

"What does that mean?" Jamie laughed.

"It's when you kiss! You are always kissing."

"Well then...vavoomp!" Jamie repeated and kissed his wife again. He kissed her 'passionately' allover her face, playfully making smooching and growling noises, until James declared, "okay, I'm just going to go play now!"

James left the room again and Jaime and Brienne shared a loving smile.

Jaime sent a raven to Tyrion informing him they would be leaving in a fortnight. He was looking forward to seeing his brother - it had been five long years and he really did miss him.

Likewise, Tyrion couldn't wait to see Jaime either. He was busy setting up the perfect living quarters for his brother's family. He really couldn't wait to meet James. He imagined James must be nearly as tall as him by now.

Jon and Daenerys were looking forward to seeing Jaime and Brienne as well; but Jaime and Brienne were right, they did want something.

As the days went by, and the Lannisters prepared for their journey to King's Landing, Brienne thought more and more about what really being in King's Landing could be like for her and Jaime.

"You've got to tell me. Just say it. You've been walking around with your eyebrows furrowed for two days. Come on." Jaime coaxed.

"What? No, I'm fine. Really."

"I've known you for 10 years. We have been married for five. I know you better than you know yourself. We are together every single day and we will be on a weeks-long journey in just a few days. You have no escape from me. I will drive you mad until you tell me."

"You're being ridiculous."

"Am I?"

"What's it going to be like for you?" she said hurriedly

"What?"

"Jaime."

"You're worried about us being in King's Landing."

"But do you understand why?"

"Ghosts of the past."

"Exactly. So, you have thought about it?"

"I have memories everywhere I go. I miss my father. I miss my sister. But that's just it. She was my sister. I miss my sister. Not my lover. You are my lover, my life, my wife and the mother of my children. And there is nothing and no one that will tear us apart. Not here, not in King's Landing. Not anywhere." He gently touched the back of her hair and pulled her face to his for a kiss.

"I believe you. It's just that my head gets the better of me from time to time."

"A ghost can't take me form you."

"I'd like to believe that. I really would. But sometimes...the past comes back to haunt us and can make us turn away from the ones we love."

"Nothing can make me turn from you. You have my heart. Completely. I would sooner die than be apart from you."

"As would I from you."

"There is nothing to fear. Right now it's just a visit. We don't know what they want."

"We'll see."