The Lion and the Warrior

Love Struck

Jaime helped James saddle up the horses for himself and Rhaella. "Things are going to be okay, James, you're going to be fine."

"I'm alright, dad. What about you? I mean, you and me?"

"We will always be okay. Don't ever worry about that. Don't think about all this today. It's a happy day for Rhaella. Treat her extra special and have fun on your ride. I'll see you after lunch for your fitting."

"I love you dad."

"I love you too. Now, here, take these horses and go. Go, go, go." He hugged James and watched him ride away to the castle with his horse, holding the reins for Rhaella's.

Jaime was alone in the stable. He looked around and saw familiar things, smelled all the familiar smells, and remembered familiar feelings. He was with Cersei here, he was with Brienne here. He felt more for Brienne than he ever felt for Cersei. As time went on, and Cersei became more hateful and cruel to him, somewhere he stopped feeling and she just became a necessary habit. She could be a perfect lady, a queen one moment and a bitch or a whore the next. Brienne? Brienne was always his love. Oh, yes, Brienne could certainly show her love for him in ways even Cersei hadn't, or wouldn't, but she never treated him unlovingly. They had a rough start. A rough but passionate start, and he just wouldn't admit that he had for feelings for her from day one. With each passing day they had spent together on their very first journey to King's Landing, there grew a mutual respect. As for Cersei, the only person she truly cared for and respected, was herself.

"Oh, sweet sister, what have you done?" He whispered. That's what he would say when he was angry and being sarcastic.

"Exactly what I have done all my life, little brother," he could hear.

He could smell her. He hadn't smelled her perfume in over a decade. Is she now haunting him too?

Right, and why stop now? He thought. He expected to dream of her that night, not that he truly wanted to, but some answers would be nice.

Today was to be a good day. James was being fitted for his first suit of armor and buying his love, well, best friend, her first suit of armor as a gift. Forget this Cersei madness, he told himself and he left the stables.

James and Rhaella raced their horses through the gates of the Red Keep and headed off to the King's Wood. They loved riding there, for it was full of hills, trees, and creeks. Although most of the time it seemed they were on their own, the Royal Guard was never too far behind them. Of course they loved to play, as anyone in their 14th and 15th years do, and often tried to outrun the Royal Guard. They never could.

They took a break to water the horses at the creek, and decided to take their shoes off and walk through the water.

"Gods! Its freezing!" Rhaella proclaimed. James laughed at her and dipped his toe in to check.

"That's nothing! Come on, I'll help you."

James stepped in with both feet and tried not to react to the freezing water. Rhaella could see by the look on his face that he was freezing too. "Ahhhhh, this is n-nice." he said with an uncomfortable smile.

"Mhmm. Yeah, I see you're enjoying yourself over there, Lord James."

"Really, Rhae, its so hot out today, this feels great!"

"Oh, just admit it's freezing."

"Never."

"Say it."

"It's great!"

Rhaella bent down to feel the water with her hands. "Are you sure you don't want to admit how cold it is?"