Once a Lion, Now a Stag

Chapter 9 The Greyjoy Rebellion

It took a few days for everything to get organized so that Robert, Sirius, and a few Kingsguard could leave for the Iron Islands. Robert decided for his safety; he was going to leave Jaime Lannister behind to guard the Queen. Robert no longer trusted Jaime to protect him after their little sparring match a few days earlier. Robert now knew with certainty that if given a chance, Jaime would kill him. And if Jaime could do that, what's to say the Kingslayer wouldn't harm his son? Robert needed to talk to Cersei before he left and tell her what happened. They needed to come up with a solution before Robert left.

That night when Robert returned to his shared chambers with Cersei, he told her everything that happened with Jaime; Cersei looked at Robert, horrified, “My love, do you honestly think Jaime would have harmed you?”

“Aye, without a doubt. That is why I will have your brother stay here to protect you, but I do not want him near my sons,” Robert explained.

Cersei was going to argue that her brother wouldn't harm her sons, but she didn't; she honestly didn't know. He may not hurt Tygett since Tygett was Jaime's, but she couldn't say the same about Orys, mostly since Orys was Robert's replica. No, they did need to do something about Jaime. The only thing that Cersei could think of was having Jaime released from the Kingsguard, as her father wanted, and let him take his place as Lord of Casterly Rock.

“I have an idea, my love,” Cersei said.

“What is it, love?”

“Perhaps you should release him from the Kingsguard and let him take up his lordship.”

Robert thought for a moment, then nodded, “Perhaps that would be the best thing. I will inform Tywin when I see him, and when I return, I will release your brother from the Kingsguard.”

“And in return for releasing Jaime, we can have my father forgive any debt that the crown may owe him,” Cersei suggested.

“That is an excellent idea, my love. Before I leave, I will have Sirius send an owl to your father. I know that your brother will be upset, but it is the best thing that we can do for our family.”

Cersei agreed. It would be awful not to have her twin nearby, but it was the best for her family. She loved Robert and Jaime was a threat to her happiness and a danger to Orys. Cersei gave her husband a loving look, “I no longer want to talk about Jaime, My Love, I want to spend the last few days we have together in peace,” Cersei said.

Robert smirked at his wife, “What did you have in mind, Love?”

Cersei wrapped her arms around Robert's neck, “Let us continue to try for another child.”

“With pleasure, my queen,” Robert said and leaned downed to kiss his wife.

The following morning, after breaking his fast with his family, Robert instructed Sirius to send an owl to Lord Tywin about his proposal for Jaime. The owl would find Lord Tywin wherever he was and wait until he got his answer, which shouldn't take very long. Lord Tywin was still calling his bannermen; the owl should head straight to Casterly Rock.

Tywin Lannister was in his solar, making plans to lead his Bannermen into war once again, when he heard a tapping at his window. Looking up, Tywin noticed the owl that was sitting on the window sill. He knew that the owl came from King Robert as it was exclusive to him and the royal family. Tywin stood up and opened the window. The owl flew in and landed on Tywin's desk. The bird held his leg out to Tywin, and he removed the note from the bird's leg. Once he did, the owl flew to the window sill and waited for a response.

Tywin broke the seal on the parchment and read the letter. It was rare to get a reaction out of the Old Lion, but his eyes widen as he continued to read the message, and Tywin's lip twitched. The thought of giving up his control over the crown was a little disappointing, but it would be worth it to get his heir back. Tywin stood up and looked out the window. He reread the letter; Jaime would be safe in the Capitol, protecting the Queen and the Princes while he went the King to quell the rebellion.