Armies of Summer

Chapter Twenty-Six

 My love, my life

Before I begin to explain, I wanted to update you on what has happened these last two days. I have left King's Landing to collect my men. We are going to lay siege to Riverrun, and hopefully Catelyn will release Tyrion. Father is remaining camped, where he is I will not say in case this letter is intercepted.

My love. You should have told me, forced me to listen to you instead of sitting back and letting life carry us away from each other. Yes. It is true what Cersei said. But I never loved her. Not even close to the way I care about you. From the moment I met you I knew. You were the one for me. And I didn't want some silly thing to ruin what was possible between us. I was young, and I was stupid. And by the time I began to realize that I should have told you then, we were grown, we were in love. We had children. I honestly never expected to see Cersei again. I had thought that we were done with her. So I forgot about her, moved on with my life, with you. You are all I ever want. All I will ever need.

I sent her away because she had threatened you. Warned me that I couldn't possibly be around you all the time, and that she would find a way to either tell you, or harm you. And neither of those things were an option. Remember when I was late to dinner? That was the night I decided to send her away. When she stopped me in the hallway, and threatened you. It was an impossible situation my love. If I could go back in time, and change anything about it, I would have never been with her. Because I would have known that you were coming along.

You asked me why I didn't tell you. But now I am also going to tell you why I did it. Because I know that question is burning in your mind even if you don't have the heart to ask it. The answer is that I don't know. But I feel like I do. I think, that I did it because I thought that she would be the best thing to happen to me. I thought that my life was cursed, that nothing good could ever happen to me, so I needed to hold onto the one pure thing in my life. And at the time it was her. I am so sorry if it hurts you to hear this, but at the time I thought it to be true, and honestly, she was a sweet child, until she realized the hold she had over me, and it twisted her, into something horrible. But I stayed.

I was so wrong. My darling, you are my angel, sent by the gods to give me the happiest life imaginable. You gave me children to fill our home with laughter and joy, you gave my life purpose, you gave me love. And I know that you are hurting right now and for that I am so sorry, and I would do anything to change that. But I cannot turn back the clock, and I cannot stop Cersei from telling you, or myself from not telling you when I should have. But I can promise you that I have only ever loved you and our children, that I will never love anyone besides you, and that I have not touched another woman since I discovered that I was engaged to you. You have always been the only one, and you always will be, even if it take a month, and year, a lifetime for you to forgive me for this, I will still be there, waiting for you to take me back.

I love you, my life, my love.

Always yours, Jaime

My darling Jaime,

Please be careful. I cannot bear the thought of losing you.

I forgive you, I miss you, I love you. Find Tyrion, and then, please, come home. Do not continue this war for honor, or pride, or whatever other foolish thing men fight for. Come home to me. I need you.

All of my love, Arya Lannister

My dearest Arya,

Oh how I love you my sweet wife. Not to worry, Riverrun has almost fallen, Tyrion arrived at father's camp just yesterday, and apparently Robb is a day's march away from father, who is preparing for battle. This will be over by tomorrow, and then I will come home to you.

I love you, be safe.

Always yours, Jaime

Arya,

I am writing with great sorrow. Our encampment successfully held off Robb Stark's 2,000 men, however, we were simply a distraction while Robb's other 68,000 ambushed Jaime's group of men who were heading home. Jaime has been taken by Robb Stark, Elia Martell, and Catelyn Stark. No demands have been issued, but as soon as they do I assure you that we will meet them.

All my regards, Tywin Lannister

Aunt Arya,

I am writing to inform you, as I am sure that no one else has, that my father, your brother, has been executed for treason by the King, Trentan Baratheon. My sister, Arya is missing, but I am well, and currently confined to chambers. However, my engagement to King Trentan is still currently in effect. I hope that you are well, and that Rickon is happy there.

Sansa Stark

Arya,

I am writing to update you. Jaime has still not been rescued from the Starks, and still no demands have been made. However we have heard rumors that Robb Stark and Elia Martell have declared themselves the King and Queen in the North, which makes us up to five kings now I believe, as Stannis and Renly have both declared themselves, as well as the wildling king beyond the wall, and then of course there is Daenerys Targaryen to the east.

Do not worry. I am doing everything I can. Be safe.

Tywin Lannister