The Wolf and The Lion || Jaime Lannister

Ninety Three

Rayna

The realm gathers for my coronation.
With the Iron Throne melted we decided that it is time to begin new tradition. Kings Landing is a graveyard and I have decided that it should stay that way.
It is time for a new era.
Holding my heavily pregnant stomach, dressed in silver aside from the Lannister jewellery I'm adorned with I walk through the great hall of Casterly Rock to the golden throne that awaits me.
One by one the Lords draw their swords for me, Northerners and Southerners alike. Although the Kingdoms are seperate for the first time they may just be united.
I smile brightly as music fills the hall. Jaime takes my hand as I ascend up the steps to the throne which we found hidden in the castle from the old days of the Kings of the Rock.
With his hand in mine I take my seat on the throne. I look up at him and he has never looked at me with such adoration and pride as he does in this moment.
As my eyes scan the crowd I see all those I love. My husband, my family, my people. For a moment I even see Robb, Mother, Father and Rickon standing there. Perhaps I can make their deaths worth it. I can bring the peace they fought for. A golden age.
Jon stands behind me, the last Targaryen heir transferring the royal lineage to the houses Stark and Lannister.
"I now proclaim Rayna of the Houses Stark and Lannister, First of Her Name, Queen in the North as the Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Lady of the Six Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm", he declares as he rests a golden crown upon my head.
"Long may she reign", Jaime declares and the room repeats the phrase after him then breaks into applause and celebration. A mixture of the Queen in the North from the Northerners and long may she reign from the southerners is chanted throughout the hall.
The bells ring signalling the coronation, for once they do not ring for dread but for celebration.
For a new era.

That evening we are feasting, celebrating.
"What happened to your silver crown?" Sansa asks as she examines the smithing on mine.
"It will be resting on your head soon", I reveal "As Queen in the North I order that my Queen regent will have a coronation"
She smiles and embraces me warmly. We've spoken of the technicalities of the unusual arrangement. I hold the title of Queen in the North and she holds the title of Queen Regent in the North and she shall rule until my son inherits it. While Jaime and I agreed on Casterly Rock as the new capital we have also discussed holding court in Winterfell every few years. It is the perfect solution to what we always wanted. We don't have to be torn between the Rock and Winterfell. He was overjoyed when I told him that I wanted to live at Casterly Rock and make it the new royal household. It truly is beautiful. It already feels like home but my true home shall always be Winterfell. Considering my son will be King in the North according to Melisandres prophecy I do want him to be raised there for at least part of his childhood.
Arya and Jon come to join us and I take both of their hands in mine "Thank you so much for being here"
"Well we can't miss a royal coronation", Jon comments "Especially since I was the one officiating it"
I laugh but we all notice someone is missing "I do wish Bran were here though"
"I'm sure he's watching", Sansa says as we see a raven perched on the windowsill.
"So you're leaving tomorrow?" I ask and they all nod their heads.
"I've decided to head North beyond the Wall, to stay with the Freefolk for a while", Jon reveals "Of course I'll be coming back to visit but for a while at least I need to go to the real north to forget everything that's happened"
I nod understandingly "It was always where you were happiest", I remember "Perhaps I'll send little Robb Stark when he's older to go on some adventures with his uncle Jon beyond the wall"
He tears up and squeezes my hand tightly "I'd love that"
"And I'll be going North with Sansa and staying for a while", Arya decides "Then I might go west, no one knows what's west of Westeros"
Bran would but I decide not to ruin that fantasy of hers "As long as you come back", I agree "Remember what father said?"
"The lone wolf dies but the pack survives", Sansa remembers and tears come to my eyes as I look at my siblings.
"We made it", I smile "The pack survived"
Suddenly I'm greeting by a warm kiss on the cheek and I turn my head to meet my husbands lips.
"My Queen", he says kissing my ring.
"My Lord", I reply as I kiss him again. I've never felt so happy in my life. Finally after all these years of war and grief there is peace.
Tyrion comes over and he and Sansa quickly begin talking. Something tells me Tyrion won't mind our visits to Winterfell too much. And who knows, maybe when Arya returns from her adventures she may want to explore the Stormlands.
Jaime takes his seat by my side and protectively runs his hand over my stomach "How long?"
"Any day now", I smile as I put my hand over his and we both feel the babies kicking.
"They're fierce aren't they", he comments "Like their mother"
"Well what do you expect from a wolf and a lion", I murmur against his lips as he kisses me.
"Your Grace as your hand I would remind you that you have an audience", Tyrion interrupts and Jaime and I's breaths mingle together as we can't help but laugh.
I scan the room and seizing the moment I stand and draw everyone's attention "Before everyone is too drunk to remember anything and seeing as many of you are leaving in the morning tonight is a good opportunity to announce official appointments. Samwell Tarly has been appointed as Grand Maester, Ser Davos Seaworth as Master of Ships, Ser Bronn of the Blackwater as Master of Coin, Brandon Stark as Master of Whisperers and Master of Law, Ser Brienne of Tarth as Commander of the Queensguard, Ser Jaime Lannister as Master of War however hopefully it won't be needed and Tyrion Lannister as Hand of the Queen".
There were very few people who I trusted to be on my small council so think I've done alright. Sam is still learning but he's more competent then a lot of maesters and is loyal. As Master of Coin it is Bronns job to find the money which I'm sure he'll be good at doing but as long as it's Tyrion and I spending it and not Bronn it should be fine. Bran makes sense as Master of Whisperers and Law considering he literally knows everything. Well at least we think he does.
"As many houses have gone extinct in this war people have been asking who the Wardens and lord paramounts shall be", I continue "I name Ser Jaime Lannister as Warden of the West, Dickon Tarly as Warden of the South and Robin Arryn as Warden of the East. Edmure Tully is Lord of the Riverlands, Robin Arryn of the Vale, Gendry Baratheon of the Stormlands, Dickon Tarly of the Reach, Ser Jaime Lannister of the Westerlands and the Crownlands which include Dragonstone shall remain deserted for the meantime while the rest of the realm heals from the war"
I offered Dragonstone to the Unsullied but they sailed away as soon as they could across the Narrow Sea, as did the Dothraki. I glance as Jaime seated beside me and on a whim add "I also bestow upon my husband Ser Jaime Lannister the title of King Consort of the Six Kingdoms. With my reign I pray that I can deliver a golden age to Westeros free from the atrocities suffered in the past. Now we celebrate a new era"
I happily sit back down and cradle my stomach. Gods I'm huge. I knew Twins caused a larger stomach than normal but gods.
My family all quietly applaud me but it is them I'm proud of. We have all suffered horrible things and done even worse things to survive but here we are. We survived.
"Did you just make me King?" Jaime asks as we hadn't even discussed it.
"I did", I say as I kiss his hand "King consort but yes. You are a southerner, this is your land and I will be dammed if I rule alone"
"Together", he promises as our fingers lace together and he kisses the back of my hand "From this day until our last day".