Chapter 4 - Tension
Jaime
The day had started out well enough. Jaime had been able to comfort Brienne in her time of need, and he felt he was starting to get through to Sansa. Finally, a Stark that didn’t want to run him in with a sword (though he was far more scared of the younger lady).
Now however, he stood outside the door to the war council, regretting his agreement to participate in the meeting. Beyond the door stood a room full of people who hated him, and his brother Tyrion.
Jaime took a deep breath, and opened the door, prompting every figure within the room to turn their heads in his direction. All eyes were on him.
“What are you doing here?” Daenerys spat.
“I do believe this is where the war council is being held, is it not?” Jaime asked sarcastically.
“That does not explain your presence here, kingslayer.” Danaerys retorted.
“I will be standing in for Lady Sansa at her request. Ser Brienne has woken, and she would like to be with her sworn sword during this time. If you have an issue with the Lady of Winterfell’s wishes you are free to discuss it with her.” Jaime responded.
At his words, Podrick’s eyes widened with relief and a smile spread across his face as he stood beside Tyrion. Danaerys’ eyes on the other hand narrowed at his response, and she appeared to be setting him ablaze with her mind. “Fine.” Danaerys declared, straightening her facial expression to appear more stoic.
Jaime walked his way to the table everyone was standing around, which had a large map displayed atop it. He stood between Tyrion and Podrick, and navigated his eyes around the table to assess who else was present. Next to Danaerys stood Jon Snow, Missandei, and the Unsullied commander who goes by Grey Worm. Arya, Varys, members of the Dothraki, leaders of the Vale and other northern houses, as well as the strange wildling fellow with the beard were present. On top of the map were tiles representing army numbers.
“Let us begin.” Danaerys announced.
Varys cleared his throat. “The golden company has landed in King’s Landing”. He announced, placing a tile on the map to signify their arrival. “The balance has grown distressingly even.” Since the Long Night, both the northern troops and unsullied troops had been cut in half, lessening Daenerys’ majority over Cersei.
“When the people find out what we’ve done for them…” Messandei began.
“Cersei will ensure they do not believe it.” Danaerys interrupted. “But we will hit her hard. Rip her out root and stem.” She added, her gaze shifting to Jaime as she said the words.
Jaime felt her gaze on him, but he simply stared at the map.
Do not react. Do not react.
“The objective is to remove Cersei, without destroying King’s Landing.” Tyrion commented.
Danaerys eyed Tyrion with an icy glare at his words.
“Thankfully, Cersei is losing ally’s by the day. Just recently Yara Greyjoy reclaimed the Iron Islands in her queen’s name.” Varys rebuked, placing another tile onto the map.
“It matters not how many lords turn against her. As long as she sits on the iron throne, she will continue to call herself queen of the seven kingdoms.” Danaerys gave Varys the same icy glare as she spoke, then shifted her eyes back to Tyrion. “We need the capital.”
“I watched the people of King's landing rebel against their king when they were hungry. And that was before winter began. If we give them the opportunity, they will cast Cersei aside.” Tyrion noted.
“We can surround the city. If the iron fleet attempts to ferry in more food, the dragons will destroy them. If the Lannisters and the golden company attack, we will defeat them on the fields.” Jon suggested.
“Once the people see Cersei is their only enemy, her reign is over.” Tyrion added.
Danaerys was quiet for a moment as she pondered the words of her advisors. “Alright.” She eventually agreed. Danaerys was about to carry on with the meeting when Jaime raised his hand. “Yes, Ser Jaime?” She gritted through her teeth.
“While I understand my opinions may not be entirely wanted, I do have a bit of military experience. I wonder why you have chosen not to wait until the soldiers have had more time to recuperate after the Long Night. There is no doubt they would fight better if given the time to rest.” Jaime commented.
Danaerys’ eyes narrowed. “And how long, Ser Jaime, would you suggest?”
“A couple weeks at least. I’m sure the officers would know best.” Jaime responded.
Danaerys’ gaze stared straight into Jaime’s soul and he wondered how wise it was for him to have spoken up. Though he couldn’t help it. While Jaime may have always had a poor representation, not one bit of it could be associated with his treatment of his men on the battlefield. A true commander knows to respect the men who fight for him.
Danaerys shifted her gaze to look around the room. “I came north to fight alongside all of you. At great cost to my armies, and myself. And now, Ser Jaime, when the time comes for reciprocation, you of all people suggest I postpone? If anything I’m to believe this is a play to ensure your sister gains a foothold in the war to come!”
Jaime scoffed at her words. “This has nothing to do with my sister and everything to do with the men that will be fighting your war. You want to throw them into battle when they are not ready to fight?”
“The longer I leave my enemies alone the stronger they will become!” Danaerys yelled.
Jon quickly interceded their heated debate. “The northern forces will honor their promises, and their allegiance to the queen of the seven kingdoms. What you command, we will obey.”
Lovesick idiot.
A satisfied smile appeared on Danaerys’ face. A silence fell in the room as Jaime glared at Danaerys, and he didn’t seem to be the only one. Arya was shooting her a similar look.
“Alright…now that that is settled…” Tyrion said to interrupt the silence. “Jon and Ser Davos will ride down the Kingsroad with the northern troops and the bulk of the remaining Dothraki and unsullied. A smaller group of us will ride to White Harbor, and sail from there to Dragonstone with our queen and her dragons accompanying us from above.”
“Great. Now that that is settled, Ser Jaime…” Danaerys called.
Jaime lifted his gaze from the map and looked at Daenerys. Mischief dances in her eyes. “Yes?”
“Seeing as how you’ve taken it upon yourself to attend my war council, and have already demonstrated your ability of contributing to the conversation, I wonder what insight you can provide about Cersei that will help us to loosen her defenses?” Danaerys asked with a smile.
“Apologies, but I have not been with my sister in some time. Not since around the dragon pit summit.” Jaime responded.
“Surely, she shared some of her strategies before you departed?” Danaerys insisted.
The scorpions, the wildfire…the wildfire. She cannot know about the wildfire.
“No. And as a neutral party in the war, I do not believe I need to provide insight into your enemy.” Jaime retorted.
Danaerys fumed at his response. “You say you are neutral and yet you march into my war council meeting!? Who’s to say you will not send the information you have learned here today to your userpor sister.” She spat.
“I am here because Lady Sansa requested it, and just as I am not aligned to you I am not aligned with my sister. Sending her anything would mean I’ve chosen a side.”
“She uses Lannister soldiers in the war against me. Your soldiers. And yet you have not removed them from within her grasp? You have chosen a side whether you admit it or not, your presence here alone should provide me the right to throw you in a cell to rot, as you well deserve, kingslayer.”
Jaime laughs as Daenerys’ fists curl. “Cersei is both Lannister and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. And I would retort that removing them at this stage would only signify an allegiance with you, which I surely and utterly refuse to do. And as to throwing me into a cell I would love to see you try” He responded.
Danaerys’ nose flared in her rage. She slowly stepped forward around the table towards Jaime as she spoke, “I am the rightful heir to the seven kingdoms, no thanks to you. You killed my father and now stand before me refusing to atone for your sins, and discouraging my conquest for MY throne.” She now stood less than a foot from Jaime’s face. “Every breath you draw is at my mercy.”
Oh fuck this.
Jaime lowered his head to match his gaze with Danaerys’. “When it comes to killing the Mad King, I have nothing to forgive. I have no regrets killing your father, and would gladly run my sword through him tenfold if given the chance.” He said in a threatening whisper, a light smirk shaping on his face as he spoke the words.
Danaerys’ violet eyes flashed with rage. She lifted her hand and smacked Jaime hard across the face.
Too far. Too far. Shit.
“Your time as a guest of Winterfell has come to an end. As of this moment, I, Danaerys Targaryen, rightful queen of the seven kingdoms, sentence you to die for the crime of killing your king, my father.” She commanded.
At her words, the room erupted in shock. Tyrion stepped forward to face his queen. “Your grace, are you sure—”
“Quiet, Tyrion.” Danaerys interrupted.
Yes quiet, Tyrion.
“I do not intend to deny you your justice my queen, but Westerosi law demands a law abiding trial.” Tyrion commented.
“Fuck that. I demand a trial by combat.” Jaime insisted.
Daenerys grew a malicious smirk. “Fine. Trial by combat. Greg Worm will be my champion.” She took a final step closer to Jaime, now only inches from his face. “I look forward to watching him tear you apart.” She whispered.
Jaime smiled back. “Such optimism!”
“Seize him. Allow the kingslayer his armor and sword, and bring him to the yards.” Danaerys commanded.
Two unsullied grabbed Jaime by the arms and dragged him out of the war room. He could see worry plastered over his brother's face.
Shit.
Brienne
The boy called Podrick (apparently her squire) erupted Sansa into quite the panic as she now paced the room. “That IDIOT!” Sansa exclaimed in her frustration.
“M-my lady, Queen Danaerys said he was to arm himself and head to the yards for the spar immediately. We haven’t much time.” Podrick noted.
“He cannot fight, that’s for sure. I’ve seen Grey Worm in the yards. There is a reason he commands the Unsullied. Jaime has improved greatly with his left, but he is not good enough to beat him.” Sansa declared.
Podrick nodded in agreement. “No one will step in for him my lady, they fear Queen Danaerys’ need for revenge, and what she would do if someone were to stand in her way of it.”
It hurt Brienne to see Sansa so distressed. She had only known the young girl (or rather remembered knowing her) for a day, but she had been so kind to her. And if what Sansa said about Ser Jaime was true, he did not deserve to die unjustly at the hands of this Queen Danaerys. It would plainly be murder.
“Lady Sansa?” She asked. Sansa paused her pacing and turned to face Brienne, her eyes still filled with worry.
“I can fight for Ser Jaime.”
Sansa was at a loss for words as she pondered her words, but behind her Brienne made note of the smile on Podrick’s face. Sansa walked over to Brienne and took her hand in hers. “Brienne, you are still recovering, I cannot ask this of you!”
“I feel fine, Lady Sansa. Besides, I don’t see what other options there are. And if what you say about Ser Jaime is true, he does not deserve to face this Grey Worm knight.” Brienne reassured.
Sansa paused for a moment, then pressed her hand to Brienne’s ribs. “How does that feel?”
Painful.
“Like a bruise.” She answered.
“And your head? Does it hurt?” Sansa asked, appraising Brienne’s head.
Yes.
“It feels fine, my lady.” She replied.
Sansa took a deep breath. “Alright. Yes. Only because I see no other way out of this for Ser Jaime.”
Podrick, looking thrilled, ran towards Brienne’s bed and fished out Brienne’s armor and sword from under it. He handed Brienne the chest plate and she appraised it with awe. “Ser Jaime had it fixed earlier in the week.” Sansa mentioned.
Brienne had never seen more beautiful armor in her life. But when Podrick handed her the sword, her sword, she couldn’t believe her eyes. “And you are sure this is mine?” She asked reluctantly.
Sansa laughed. “Yes Brienne, this is Oathkeeper.”
“Oathkeeper.” Brienne repeated as she stared at the blade.
Brienne quickly changed into her armor, which fit her beautifully. She had never worn armor before that fit her so perfectly. And nothing could prepare her for wielding Oathkeeper, the sword that fit her grip just right, and felt like a feather in her grasp. She could hardly believe this was her reality, and felt she’d wake from a dream at any moment.
“We must hurry, I can hear the crowds gathering.” Podrick insisted.
The group went through the halls and down the stairs of Winterfell castle, and rushed towards the training yards, where it had appeared the whole population of Winterfell had come together. They pushed their way through the masses, their eyes locked on Jaime who stood in the center with Grey Worm.
Just as Danaerys was about to command that the fight commence, Sansa raised her hand high. “STOP!” She shouted.
All eyes fell on the Lady of Winterfell. “Ser Brienne of Tarth will fight in Ser Jaime’s stead.”
The crowd erupted with gasps.