The Lion and the Warrior

The Second Battle of the Golden Lions

"Nothing more fitting than killing you in the place you taught me to fight. Remember dad? We used to spar here?"

They shared a look. Jaime just needed to buy them some time. Just spar. It was a brutal spar, but still a spar. No blood shed this time. Cersei watched anxiously. She never did like watching Jaime in a sword fight, but this time, she couldn't wait for him to die. Just one little slice in the right spot will end this, she thought.

Brienne was in Eliana's room, pouring "tea" for them and their babies. "Would you care for sugar, Lady Eliana?" Brienne asked.

"Yes, and cream please. Lots of cream."

"In tea?" Brienne asked with a scowl.

"Yes. I love it that way. That's how lady Dennis takes her tea at court."

"Alright then, sugar and cream. And how about you Lady Allister?" Brienne asked the doll with dark ringlets.

"She doesn't like tea, mommy. She will have biscuits and jam with milk only."

"Your friends are complicated."

"Not as complicated as those old ladies at court." Eliana said, twisting her face in disgust.

"I might have to keep you from attending court."

Suddenly Eliana dropped her tea cup, spilling water on her floor, and gasped. "Mommy!"

"What is it, what's wrong?"

"Daddy and James are in trouble."

"Daddy and James are fine darling, they're out riding."

"No mommy, they're dreaming again!"

"What do yo know about dreams?" Brienne asked sternly.

"I don't know, just what I saw. They are dreaming with Cersei and she is watching them sword fight."

"Eliana, listen to me..." Brienne gently took the girl by both hands, "this is not a game. Do you know where your father and brother are?"

"They are in the Kings Wood. Deep in the wood, by the waterfalls and there's a big tree..."

Brienne calmly stated, "You stay here with Lyza, and I will go and find them."

"No, I can take you, please don't leave me."

"El, this is not for a little girl."

"Please don't leave me mommy." Eliana begged and grabbed hold of Brienne's arm, so tight it began to hurt. She closed her eyes tight and in an instant they were watching James and Jaime sleep beneath that tree.

Brienne was shocked at first but gathered her thoughts, realizing what just happened. "Is this real?" Brienne heard herself ask out loud.

"They have to finish the dream this time," Eliana said.

"How can I help them if we can't wake them?"

"You can't help them."

"Then why are we here?"

"Come with me." Eliana said. Eliana took Brienne to the tree and they both sat down; Brienne sat next to Jaime, and Eliana was next to James. "Mommy, don't let go of my hand. Hold onto daddy," she said, reaching for her brother's hand."

Brienne touched Jaime's hand and she could see all that he saw. Her husband and son were fighting under a tree - she was in their dream. And her daughter brought her there. Again, was this really happening? It couldn't possibly feel more real.

"They can't see us, but they can feel we are here. We can't change the past, but we can help the present."

Brienne had heard of this before but never dreamed her own child would be capable.

Cersei said, "James, do this for me. I need you. You will be a hero not only to me, but all of Westeros. Do the people a favor."

"My father is the greatest sword fighter in Westeros," he said breathlessly, "you ask much for a dead queen who can do nothing for me."

"Your father is weak. He is a one-handed man with nothing left to give this world. Both your parents are just an embarrassment to you. Do you really want them lumbering around you the rest of your life?"

James became angry with Cersei and fought harder because of it.

Jaimie backed away from James and stood with his sword pointed straight out at him. "Dad?" They looked into each others eyes, and Jaime quietly asked, "Do you feel it?"

James mouthed a word without speaking, "mother?"

Jaime kept eye contact with his son and nodded his head.

Oh Jai...you've got to get that sword out of his hand, Brienne thought. Jaime swung his sword around and disarmed his son. James stood looking at his father in shock. He slowly went for his sword but Cersei beat him to it.

"What a feeble little shit! I should have known you couldn't carry this out. You are just like him! You're both weak. Jaime was never anything without father or me. And your mother, that giant bitch whore. She is as useless as she is ugly. I would have you kill her too but I want her to suffer without 'her love'." She swung the sword at James, trying to slash across his throat, but the weapon was much too heavy for her, and she slashed across is chest instead. She missed when he dodged by sliding to the ground on his back.

"Put it down Cersei." Jaime demanded.

"Never. If I have to take you from your world myself, I will."

"It doesn't seem to be working for you."

"Then do it yourself."

"What would have me do? Fall on my sword for you sweet sister?" He threw down his sword, "I am unarmed."

"Pick up his sword!" Cersei yelled at James, and he complied. "Kill him."

"James!" A small voice cried out.

James, Jaime and Cersei looked around but saw no one.

"Shhh. What are you doing, Eliana?" Brienne asked.

"She wants James to kill daddy."

"James will not kill your father. He won't. No one can kill your father."

"Even you?"

"Even me."

"Are they here? They are here, aren't they?" Cersei asked, as James and Jaime shared a look.

"So your precious baby girl and your jack ass-ugly wife can watch you both die!" Cersei lifted the heavy sword awkwardly and tried to bring it down on Jaime. James shoved her out of the way, causing her to lose grip on the sword and it fell from her hand.

"This is over. It's over." James said. Cersei just stared past him. James turned to see what she was looking at. Eliana ran to them, Cersei ran to her and grabbed the little girl by the arm. Eliana bit Cersei as hard as she could and the old queen lost her grip. James rushed to Cersei and in one fluid motion, grabbed her throat and slammed her onto the soggy grass. He knelt down in the grass beside her, one knee pressed down into rib cage, the other in the mud. He looked into her green eyes and began to tighten his grip.

"My parents are the greatest warriors in Westeros. They are strong..." his grip continued to tighten, "brave, fierce, and they have taught their children to be the same," he growled. She clawed at his neck and chest, trying desperately to push him away. She reached around his waist for his dagger, but she could not get to it. His grip tightened around her long pale neck even more and more with each word he spoke, "I love them with all that I am, and I am all that they are!"