283 AC

When Eddard bursts in the Throne Room, he expects another bloody battle. He expects to hear the Mad King's shouts. He even expects to smell fire.

He does not expect to smell shit (in a literal sense). He does not expect to find Aerys down on the floor, upside down, covered in blood. He also does not expect to find Ser Jaime Lannister sitting on the Iron Throne, his golden cloak almost as bloody as the king's corpse.

It takes nearly no time to guess what happened. "Was it you, Ser?", he asks.

His arrogant smirk doesn't reach his eyes. "Yes, Lord Stark. I was just warming up this seat for you, by the way", he says as he stands up, but Ned doesn't let him continue.

"Stay", he says. "I have no interest in this. And if you were the one to bring Aerys down, then this throne is rightfully yours… Your Grace."

The young man's wide eyes confirms his suspicions: for Jaime Lannister, the crown won't be a prize, but a punishment.

"That wasn't what I had in mind—"

"—then you should have thought twice before killing your king, Your Grace."

His fists are closed, but he doesn't sit back down.

"What about Lord Baratheon? Surely he wants to claim the throne. Isn't that why he started a war?"

Both men know that wasn't the real reason, but both men also know better than to say it aloud. Instead, Eddard replies, "Lord Robert and Prince Rhaegar killed each other at the Trident. You shouldn't have sat on this chair, Ser. Not of you didn't want the responsibility that comes with it."

In the end, no gods listen to Jaime's prayers. The Kingslayer is turned king.

He never explains himself. Never says that, if he didn't strike the fatal blow, the city would have burned down on Aerys' command. What difference will it make? Let people think what they want. Maybe one day somebody will find the wildfire barrels under King's Landing and connect the dots, but for now he has no way to prove his claims.

He'll always be the Kingslayer King. The Kingsguard King. The Oathbreaker King. Many titles, none of them positive, or kind.

The coronation is held at the Great Sept of Baelor, just like many others before. His vows as king don't sound as different as the ones he made for Kingsguard. On the front row, his father and siblings watch; only Tyrion smiles. His brother is barely ten and thinks it's a high honor that Jaime is now—

"All hail King Jaime Lannister, first of his name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

The cheers are not as strong as one would expect from a normal coronation, but stronger than he had anticipated. Mayhaps the people are just glad the war is over, and see his crowning as a sign of peace.

Tywin is, as always, stern. He knows his father approves of his new position, even if he wishes it had been acquired through less... scandalous means. (Not that he is in any position to judge, not after the confessed to have ordered Clegane to kill Rhaenys and Aegon—and Elia too, he's sure, no matter how much Tywin denies.)

Cersei, his beloved twin sister, looks furious and elated at the same time. Her fate is yet to be decided, whether she'll stay at King's Landing or not.

There is a feast, but he barely remembers it, drunk as he gets. All he knows is that somehow Cersei sneaked inside his chambers, for when he wakes up she is there, and both are naked.

He has never been a man of faith, but now he'll take what he can get, so he heads to the Great Sept to pray—and think—in peace.

Inside, he takes his crown off his head and stares at it. He's king now, and there is nothing he can do to change it. He'll carry this title for the rest of his life, no matter how short or long it lasts. Part of him wants to shit on the country all over, so they can usurp him like they did to Aerys…

...But another part of him, a bigger part, has no desire for another war. And the only way to avoid it is being a good king. One respected enough that people will believe the best option is to keep him sitting on the throne.

Problem is, he is the worst Lannister they could have picked. People may praise his swordsmanship all they want—hells, he praises himself as a great swordsman—but that's all he's really good for. Ruling requires abilities he certainly does not have, and he's not sure whether he'll ever get them. He needs a good Small Council; one that not only he can trust, but is also competent.

For Hand, he can think of three names: Eddard Stark, Tywin Lannister and Jon Arryn. He assumes the latter would be Hand if Robert had been crowned, and technically they are all on the same side. It would be a way to secure loyalty.

He trusts his father to be competent, but he's wary of his character ever since he admitted to the murders. If Tywin is capable of killing babies… he doesn't want to dwell on that.

Eddard Stark is his best choice, if he's honest with himself. Stark was the one to crown him, after all, and the man is more honorable than it should be possible. He is heir to Winterfell, but, if he remembers correctly, he has a young brother. (And a sister, but Lyanna Stark is another issue entirely.)

He takes a deep breath and places the crown back on his head. Get a Hand first, then, with his help, pick the rest of the Small Council.

Unsurprisingly, Eddard refuses. He's too Stark for this. "I thought you were going to name your father", he adds.

"My father is needed at Casterly Rock more than here, I'm afraid", he replies, and though is not the truth, it isn't a lie either. "Tyrion is only a boy of ten." He sighs. "But if you are willing, Lord Stark, I'd like for you to stay here until my Small Council is selected."

"May I ask why?"

"For one, you were the one no hand me this crown, so I suppose you owe me", he snorts. "And secondly… You are trustworthy, regardless your loyalties. This realm could use more people like you. I could use people like you, if I want to be a decent king." There is silence, but eventually Eddard nods. "Thank you, Stark. I'll arrange chambers for you and your sister. I hear she is with child?"

At that, the Northerner's eyebrows raise. Oh, so it isn't a widely known fact yet. He had known from Rhaegar himself, before he headed to his final battle. "The child is already born, Your Grace. They are hidden in an inn."

"You can bring them here. I'll provide for maids to help her with her child."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

He wants to asks whether Jon Arryn is a good option for Hands, but then he decides to ask Arryn himself, so he leaves Eddard and goes for the man.

He accepts, and they agree to sit down and discuss the Small Council in the morning.

Varys is to remain as Master of Whispers. His loyalties are uncertain, but there is no one else they can think of. Jaime refuses to have Pycelle as his Grand Maester, though. "He has served too many kings", he explains, "and I think he's more loyal to my father than to the Crown, or the Realm."

"While I agree", Arryn replies carefully, "I fail to see how this is bad for you, Your Grace."

"You don't have to call me 'Your Grace' all the time, you know. And this is bad because I don't think it's wise to have people think I'm my father's puppet king. We know what happened last time."

"Is that why you didn't name him your Hand?"

At that, he pauses. "He is needed at Casterly Rock", he says simply, but Arryn understands all the same.

"Then we'll dismiss Pycelle and ask the Citadel for another Maester. Now, for Master of Coin. I've heard whispers regarding Petyr Baelish—"

"—the one who took your wife's maidenhead? Don't look at me like that, half the realm knows the story. He may be good with coin, but honestly, I'd rather have him away from my eyes. He looks like he kidnaps little girls for a living."

"He does run brothels", Arryn muses, and Jaime knows he's trying to think of other names. "If you want allies in the North, Wyman Manderly is a good option." He then proceeds to explain all the man's qualities, leading to Jaime accept his suggestion without much thought.

"For Master of Ships, I think we can keep that Velaryon man", he says as they move on. "Either that, or a Greyjoy."

"A Greyjoy as Master of Ships is a double-edged sword, I fear. If Lord Velaryon refuses to keep his position, a Redwyne would be more suitable."

"You are right", he admits. "Now, to Master of Laws. I… honestly have no idea. How does it even work?"

At that, Arryn chuckles as he explains the role of a Master of Laws. "I advise against Ironborn and Dornish", he says after he finishes his explanation. "They are not familiar with our culture and laws, and their suggestions might be disastrous… If I may suggest, Your Grace, I can think of a member of your family to fill this position."

He frowns. Surely he doesn't mean his father. "Who?"

"Kevan Lannister, your uncle. He seems to have a mind independent of your father, meaning you don't have to fear Tywin's shadow over your head, but you'll still have a family member around."

He hadn't thought of his uncle, and Arryn has good points. Lately, he decides Kevan is more trustworthy than Tywin. Gods, his father's second worst decision was to tell him he was at fault for the death of Elia and her children; the worst was to do it at all.

When they reach the matter of Kingsguard, Jaime asks for a pause. His head hurts, and he knows it'll be a complicated matter. Not everyone will be willing to serve him—he has no idea if Selmy will want to stay with him, and Ser Barristan is the only surviving member of Aerys' Kingsguard that hasn't been crowned.

By supper time, they have a list of fifteen candidates. "I suppose we already discussed way too much today", Arryn says as he stands up to leave, "but I must warn you, Your Grace, there is still a whole lot of things to talk about, and urgently."

"I know, I know", he huffed. "We have essentially to rebuild this kingdom."

"In a sense, yes. But, as Varys will gladly inform you, Rhaegar's mother and siblings fled Westeros. There is also the matter of… you'll need a wife. Sooner rather than later."

That perks up his attention. "Do you think… they'll want me to follow Targaryen custom?"

He tries to sound scared, but inside he's hopeful. If he manages to keep Cersei around, and have her as wife… Mayhaps being king won't be as terrible as he fears.

"Gods, no", Arryn replies, eyes wide, and he hopes his Hand can't hear his heart breaking a bit. "Lady Cersei is set to marry high lords, now that she's the king's sister, but not you, no. We… it's better to discuss this matter after we have a Small Council and a Kingsguard. Your bride can be someone from a House that doesn't get a position at court."

Then he leaves, and Jaime is alone with his thoughts. Not for long, though; soon he heads to find Cersei.

It's only after he finishes and rolls back to bed that he dares mention the matter of marriage. Cersei is, naturally, furious.

"You are king now", she hisses. "You should be able to do whatever you want."

"Not if I want to keep my head", he snorts. "I'm not a Targaryen, and there isn't even a dragon for me to tame to prove I'm above everyone."

"You don't need a dragon, you have a crown . If you want to take me as your wife, no one should question you."

"But they will ", he replies, a bit exasperated. How can't she see it? "We all just came back from a war to end an entire dynasty. If I go against the entire realm's wishes, we'll lose our heads before we can blink twice, and they'll just crown another man, though probably not without shedding some more blood first."

If they just set him aside and picked another king, he'd see no problem at all. But he plans to live for quite long, for Cersei to live even longer, and for the realm to stay at peace. For all that to happen, he has to keep the crown on his head. As far as he knows, no reign ends without the king's death.

"You've always said we should run away", she replies. "Why don't we do it now?"

"Are you playing dumb, or are you being serious?" Now he's simply angry. "If I leave, if I die, if I make any shitty decision, this realm goes to war all over again, and just because we survived the last one doesn't mean we'll survive the next. Is that you want?"

"What I want", she spats, venom almost visible in her tongue, "is that you choose. Me or your crown."

For the second time that night, his heart breaks, and now he's sure she can hear. "You know I can't", he replies, and he sounds like he's on the verge of tears—mayhaps he is. "I didn't ask for any of this, Cersei, but I got a fucking crown on my head and a fucking realm to rule."

"And I have no place in it", she says. Her voice now is as cold as winter. "I see. Now excuse me, Your Grace, but you are in my chambers. It isn't proper for a king to be in a woman's bed if she isn't his wife."

There is no reply to that, so he dresses himself and sneaks out. Inside his own chambers, he allows two tears to fall, one from each eye. Being king is more terrible than he thought.

The Seven hear his prayers this time, and Selmy agrees to stay at the Kingsguard. "I have nothing better to do anyway", he claims, "and my vows don't expire when another king rises."

"Neither do mine", he replies, unable to hold his tongue, "but look what I've got."

The older man snorts. "May I speak freely, Your Grace?"

"You were my senior at Kingsguard and soon to become Lord Commander. Yes, of course you may speak freely." And stop calling me 'Your Grace'.

"You got this crown in the stupidest way possible. If anything, I pity you, which is mostly why I'm staying."

Jaime laughs. "You are right, Ser. I won't be subject for songs, I'm afraid, but for jokes." Not that he minds. Jokes are more entertaining than songs, after all.

Most noble families attended his coronation, so it's easy for him to find Willas Tyrell and Olyvar Martell. Selmy suggests other names, and before noon he has Balon Swann and Arys Oakheart in the Kingsguard as well. There are only two spots left.

After lunch, he approaches Eddard Stark again. "Lord Stark, I'd like to speak to you about your brother Benjen. I'd like to invite him to join Kingsguard."

The conversation is briefer than he initially assumed, for Stark simply says, "Write him a letter. Personally, I have nothing against it, but it's his decision."

He asks Arryn to do it, since his calligraphy is illegible, while he approaches Lord Greyjoy to offer a position for one of his sons. His Hand spoke to Lord Velaryon in the morning, and the man was willing to remain at court, although the idea of serving a Lannister didn't seem to sound so good to him. Balon Greyjoy offers his brother Victarion, who seemingly sees no other choice than to accept.

He then heads to Pycelle's chambers. He does not expect to find him with two whores, but that's exactly what happens, and dismissing him isn't as hard as he assumed it'd be. Arryn promptly sends a raven to the Citadel, chuckling as Jaime tells the tale as if he's scarred for life by the scene he witnessed.

Lord Manderly is there and is touched to be invited as Master of Coin. Baelish is sent back to his house's seat, and his dissatisfied expression makes Jaime want to smirk. Varys claims to be honored to sit at his council, though he doesn't believe it much.

He leaves his uncle for last, because he knows father will be by his side, and he wants to avoid a confrontation for as long as he can. He's sure Tywin won't be pleased to know he didn't get a place in his son's own council, but he hopes he'll buy his excuse. He think they are valid ones, and if Jon Arryn believes him, why can't his father?

"You've summoned us, son?", Tywin politely asks as he and Kevan stand in front of the throne. Jaime hates it, but he supposes that was precisely what Aegon the Conqueror wanted when he forged it.

"Yes", he replies as firmly as he manages. "First, I want to reaffirm your position as Warden of the West, father. Some might say the Lannisters shouldn't keep this title as we already have a kingdom, but I see no one else better for the responsibility that comes with such a power."

He hopes his message comes across: he didn't name his father for anything else because he wouldn't risk being accused of nepotism. Tywin nods and bends one knee. "I pledge the West to the Crown, Your Grace. You have Casterly Rock's unconditional support."

Hopefully those words are the truth. "Very well. You may stand up, Lord Tywin." He then turns to his uncle. "Ser Kevan, I'd like to offer you a place in the Small Council as Master of Laws. I trust your ability to help bring peace to the realm."

His uncle's eyes are wide, but he knees down and accept the offer. Then his father asks for a moment alone, and he goes down the throne's stairs to meet him face to face.

"I was displeased at first", he begins, "that you didn't invite me to your council. But I see you surround yourself with capable men. I trust you to make your House proud, and to ensure that the Lannister dynasty lasts. I'm not happy that Casterly Rock will go to your brother, but I feel better about it since it's because my firstborn is king, instead of Kingsguard."

If only his father knew this is the exact opposite of what he wanted. He probably does, but cares little.

"Tyrion is more capable on his own than I'll ever be", he says instead. "If he was king, he'd only need a council because of his age. He'll be a great lord under your guidance, father."

"Mayhaps you could let him stay with you at court. I'm sure he has much to learn here."

Both know Tywin just wants his youngest out of his sight, but Jaimes loves his brother and clearly won't have his sister around for long, so he promises to think about it after everything's set.

On the following morning, he officially names all members of Kingsguard and of the Small Council. In front of the whole court, his father, Jon Arryn, Mace Tyrell and Eddard Stark renew their titles as Warden of, respectively, the West, the East, the South and the North. The Northern nobles ready themselves for departure, but there is one more thing Jaime wants with Eddard.

"Lord Stark, meet me at the solar in two hours", he says. "And bring your sister along. It concerns her."

He hasn't talked about any member of the Council on this matter, not even his Hand. The opportunity hasn't presented itself. So he doesn't know if it's his best or his dumbest idea, but he has to try before the Starks leave.

Lyanna comes right behind Eddard, with a tiny baby in her arms. She looks scared, but he can still see the beauty that prompted Robert to start a war to get his betrothed back, and that prompted Rhaegar to… do what he did.

He makes himself look as kingly as possible, though he's sure he's failing. He's not Rhaegar, raised from the start to be a monarch. "Welcome", he says solemnly. "Please make yourselves comfortable."

He hopes they don't sense his nervousness; after all, he shouldn't be nervous. "What would you want with us, Your Grace?", Eddard asks.

In another life, one where Robert didn't die, he thinks Stark would never look at him twice. He shakes his head; this kind of thought leads him nowhere. "I am going to speak freely: I know what happened to you, Lady Lyanna, and who fathered your child. I know he", he points at the baby (who is clearly a boy) with his chin, "is a Targaryen bastard."

"He's not a bastard", she retorted, seemingly without thinking. Then she looks down. "The prince and I wed in Harrenhal's godswood."

This is new information, but it matters little now. "Regardless, he's Targaryen. I take few people aside from me knows it, right?" Both siblings nod. "I'm afraid this secret won't stay that way for long. Soon everyone will see Lady Lyanna with a child, and it will a matter of time before they reach the obvious conclusion." He sighs. "I did not order the murders of Elia, Aegon and Rhaenys, I hope you know that."

"I assumed", Eddard says, nodding. "The timing doesn't add up. But you know who did?"

"Yes. Sadly, my father." Lyanna's mouth hangs open. "He claims he did it for the realm. I'm afraid of what else he is willing to do under the same reasoning, especially now that his own son is king. Lord Stannis is battling to conquer Dragonstone, and it won't be a surprise if he captures the remaining Targaryens and hand me their heads as prizes. I have no desire for such things, and I have no desire to endanger your son, Lady Lyanna."

"Jon", she replies in a whisper. "His name is Jon."

"A good Northern name", he concedes. "For all those reasons, I think we should discuss the matter of your safety before your departure. Do you have any plan in mind?"

Lyanna shakes her head. Eddard adjust his position on the chair. "No, Your Grace. We just wanted to take him to safety behind Winterfell's walls, and then decide what to do. There has been little time."

"I understand." He doesn't, not really; he formed a plan, albeit potentially stupid, in less than a day. What were they doing all this time? "But are you planning on hiding mother and son in Winterfell for the rest of their days?"

Eddard frowns. "With all due respect, if you have a plan, please enlighten us, Your Grace."

If he wasn't so nervous, he'd smirk. Nonetheless, he is, so he just takes a deep breath. "Sooner than later, I'll have to take a wife. As you surely knows, despite being king, few noblemen will want their daughters to marry a kingslayer, an oathbreaker. Lady Lyanna will face similar, if not worse, problems."

"Dragon's whore", Lyanna whispers to herself, but he hears all the same.

"But… if Lady Lyanna and I marry, I can assure little Jon's safety."

He can tell Eddard almost chokes on air.

"I beg your pardon?", he manages. Jaime sighs.

"It's simple, though not easy", he begins. "If we marry, Jon will automatically be promoted to heir to the Iron Throne, for as long as I don't have children of my own. I'll even name him my heir if necessary. My father won't dare make a move on him, and neither will anyone else. It will also satisfy any remaining Targaryen loyalists, since Jon is a Targaryen, and a legitimate one. In case Lady Lyanna and I have a son, Jon will either be sent to Winterfell as your ward, Lord Eddard, or be named Lord of Dragonstone, which has always been a Targaryen seat. Besides, a marriage between Lady Lyanna and I will serve to show the entire realm I aim for peace."

Baby Jon wakes up and cries, and Lyanna quickly strips her left breast to feed him. He glances away and finds Eddard staring at him. "What do you have to gain from this?", he asks, not unkindly.

"Northern loyalty, for starters", he replies easily. "If the North won't fight for their king, they'll do it for their queen, won't they?" Stark nods. "I also truly don't want any more children dying in my name. Little Jon is not at fault for any of this, just like little Aegon and little Rhaenys were not. Is it so unbelievable that I would make an effort to ensure a child's safety?"

A short silence. "It isn't unbelievable ", Eddard replies. "It just seems your effort is too great. A marriage is not a light compromise, you know." He doesn't say it as a threat, or a warning, but as if he was a father teaching a child. Which is kind of okay; Jaime is only sixteen, and no crown can add years to his life.

"May I speak alone with Your Grace?", Lyanna asks, and he turns to see her. Jon is already back asleep.

"You may", he says. She hands baby Jon to Eddard, and the two leave the solar.

Lyanna's grey eyes stare at his as if she's trying to read his soul. "You said you know what happened to me", she says finally. "What exactly do you know, Your Grace?"

He clears his throat. It's not a memory he's fond of. "Rhaegar and I met briefly before he went to the Trident. He proudly informed me you had been with him all this time, and he had successfully got you pregnant with his third child. I had already heard some talk of prophecy, about a three-headed dragon or something similar. I then asked if you knew about your brother and father." She gulps, already guessing where this is going. "He said that yes, you knew. You even asked to come to King's Landing, but he… convinced you to stay." He looks down. "I didn't dare ask him how."

When he looks up again, her eyes are watery. "I'm not Rhaegar, Lady Lyanna", he says in a low voice. "This may be a king's proposal, but it's still only a proposal. You are free to say no. I'll think of another solution for you and Jon if you don't want to marry me. Not every woman dreams of being a queen, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that's your case." In her place, he'd wish to just go home. Nevertheless, he is living proof that one doesn't always get their wishes.

"I just want to know one thing", she says eventually, after she no longer looks like on the verge of tears. "Do you love me, Your Grace?"

He's taken aback by that question. What ? "No, my lady", he replies. "I do not." He doesn't even know her. He only ever loved Cersei, because they (used to) know each other better than anyone else.

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Then I accept your proposal. Shall I fetch my brother?"

He nods, and she stands up to leave. He uses the time until she's back with Eddard to think about her words. She will marry him because he doesn't love her? Isn't that the opposite of what women want—of what people want?

Then again, he muses, she doesn't have good memories of the last two men who claimed to love her.

The Small Council is divided about his engagement, which is better than the unified anger he had expected. Arryn, Velaryon and Manderly seem to think this is the peak of his intelligence; Varys, Selmy and his uncle think otherwise.

"Is it really wise to name a Targaryen your heir, my nephew?", Kevan asks. "I know neither you or your siblings have offspring now, but are you willing to overlook nephews if you don't have male heirs of your own?"

"This is a bridge I'd rather cross when I get to it", he admits. "For now, Jon will be my heir. I believe the best way to ensure Targaryen loyalists won't challenge us is bringing the Targaryens to our side. Speaking of which, does anyone have news on Dragonstone?" He knows Viserys is either six or seven years old, and Lady (Queen) Rhaella is in her final months of pregnancy.

"My little birds tell me Lady Rhaella and Viserys fled with Ser Willem Darry, Aerys' former master-at-arms", Varys replies easily. Jaime guesses he has the information for some time, and even now is not telling him everything.

"If you can find out a more precise location", he says, "that would be ideal. After my wedding, I'd like to send a search party. Bring them all alive and in one piece."

"For what, Your Grace?", Velaryon asks.

"Aegon the Conqueror managed to keep peace by allowing former enemies to keep their lands and titles if they bended the knee", he replies, remembering lessons from his father and Maester Creylen. "Dragonstone is the ancestral Targaryen seat, and I plan to offer it to them if they swear loyalty to me."

"This is incredibly risky", his uncle points out. "What if they decide to usurp you?"

"Now, why would they do it, if Rhaegar's son is my heir?"

It is a spur-of-moment thought, but suddenly all the council is praising his genius. Mayhaps he isn't stupid, after all.

284 AC

He weds Lyanna Stark (Targaryen) on a sunny day. Despite it being a royal wedding and despite the huge amount of guests, it's a quiet affair, especially after they head from the Great Sept to the godswood. Only Northerners attend the second ceremony; the rest wait for them at the main hall.

The feast is loud where the religious event was quiet. He and Lyanna keep it mostly to themselves, though he does speak to Tyrion for a long time.

"Father says you want to take me here", he tells Jaime at one point.

"I do", he agrees. "I was meant to write you sooner about it, but since we're here… do you want to stay?"

His brother nods, and they hug briefly. Cersei stayed at Casterly Rock, and he honestly thinks it's better this way.

Lyanna spends a good portion of the night with her goodsister Catelyn Tully (Stark), who came in her husband's name—something about 'there always must be a Stark at Winterfell'—and stayed with Jon the whole afternoon. Benjen Stark, who accepted his invitation to join Kingsguard solely because his sister was going to be queen, stays near the two women the whole night. He's glad for it, honestly.

Royal weddings don't have a bedding "ceremony", so he and his new wife simply stand up and head to their chambers together. "We don't have to do anything if you don't want to", he says as soon as the door closes behind them. "I meant what I said the day of our proposal."

"I know", she replies. "Do you not want to?"

He shrugs. They will have to, sooner or later. "I'm not opposed."

It seems enough of an answer, as she grabs his face and kisses him. Before he knows it, they fall down on their bed.

They don't do it again for a long time after that night, however. They still share a bed, but Lyanna is usually too busy caring for her son, and he busies himself helping her with that task. "I took care of my brother half of the time", he explains. "Few people were willing to do it."

"Your brother is great", she says instantly, frowning in confusion.

"But he's a dwarf, and Mother died birthing him, so Father bears no love for him." Not that he loves him and Cersei, but at least he deems them useful—and now might feel slightly proud of his older son now.

"He's not at fault", she insists.

"I know", he agrees.

After that talk, she makes an effort to spend more time with Tyrion, and often lets him carry Jon around. His brother is delighted with the attention, and Jaime thinks he made a good choice with Lyanna.

Day by day, night by night, they talk about different things, about themselves and about the realm. One night, after drinking a little too much wine to keep up with Lord Tyrell (who came to pay his son a visit), he confesses his past affair with Cersei.

"I had hoped I could marry her, Targaryen-style", he says, after Jon falls sound asleep. "It obviously failed, and she didn't take it well."

They are laying on the bed, facing each other. She takes his hand under hers. "Do you miss her?", she asks simply. It doesn't look like she's judging him.

"Not anymore", he says, and realizes it's the truth. He hasn't missed his sister for quite some time.

In the morning, she promises she'll keep his secret. "It's a useless secret anyway", she claims, but, looking back, he thinks this is the moment he starts to fall in love with his wife.

Not that he notices at first. There is still the night after that one, in which she tells him everything he knows and doesn't know about her and Rhaegar. "I was that mystery knight at Harrenhal", she says. "He found me and promised to keep a secret. Then he stupidly crowned me Queen of Love and Beauty, because he thought I deserved some prize for my actions. I confessed to him I didn't want to marry Robert, and he promised to rescue me. I went willingly."

He vaguely knows the rest of the story, but hearing it from her makes him want to rise Rhaegar from the grave to kill him himself. On the same night, he tells her about wildfire, and how Aerys wanted to 'burn them all'.

"Why didn't you tell them that?", she asks, genuinely curious.

"I don't think they'll believe me", he answers. "I'm waiting for Varys to tell me his 'little birds' found the barrels under the city."

"A wise decision from a wise king", she says mockingly, but he smiles anyway.

Even then, he doesn't notice his feelings. It is only after he catches her swinging a wooden sword at night and offers to teach her, though not without saying, "Now I know why you are always so eager to put Jon to sleep early."

She hits with the sword, and thank the gods it's made of wood, because damn, that hurts. But between all of his kingly duties, teaching her swordsmanship is the highlight of his day along with being with Jon and Tyrion, and from there on there is little he can do not to fall, and deep. Not that he minds.

285 AC

It takes two years, but finally the Targaryens are brought to him. He still thinks Varys slowed their search down on purpose, but is inclined to overlook that now that they are here.

Once again, he's glad he sent his father away to Casterly Rock; he can't bring himself to harm these children any more than he is willing to harm Jon, who can now speak full sentences and once called him 'papa' instead of 'uncle' like Lyanna tried to teach him.

Morya Frey, one of Lyanna's ladies-in-waiting, is summoned to watch over Jon and Daenerys while he, Lyanna, Rhaella and Viserys head to the solar.

"You killed my father" is the first thing the nine-year-old tells Jaime.

"I know", he replies as politely as he can. "It had to be done."

"Why, so you could be king ? You are nothing but a kingsl—"

"Be careful of what you call my husband", Lyanna hisses, and suddenly Jaimes feels overwhelmed with love and pride. Then she calms down and continues, softer, "Viserys, what do you remember from your father?"

The kid looks at his mother, who urges him to speak. "He was ugly", he finally says. "I think he was good-looking once, but I never saw him as such. I think he… upset Mother. She never smiles when he is mentioned." He looks at his Mother again, and she caresses his cheek.

"Can you think of anything nice to say of him?", Lyanna asks, softly again.

It takes a while, but eventually Viserys shooks his head. "See, Viserys", he begins, "this is because there was nothing good to speak of him. I know he was your father, and you must have loved him dearly, but he was a threat to the rest of us."

"But you were his Kingsguard", he insists, though not without the same venom he had minutes ago.

"Yes, I was", he admits. "But I vowed to protect the people and the realm just as I vowed to protect the king. And… one day I to choose between breaking two vows and breaking only one." It's his wife's turn to squeeze his hand. "Afterwards, everyone just assumed I was the best candidate for king."

"Because my brother killed the original usurper", Viserys finishes, and Jaime nods because there is little to reply to that. "But why kill my brother?"

He takes a deep breath. How to tell a boy of nine that his brother died fighting for a woman he claimed to love—but merely lusted after?

It's Lyanna who answers that particular question. "Your brother fought for love", she says. "He and Robert Baratheon loved the same woman, and died trying to win her over."

She doesn't say whose love the men fought for, but Viserys is no fool and Ser Darry taught him well. "It was you, wasn't it? People call you the Dragon's Whore."

He motions to stand up and defend his wife's honor, but she pulls his hand down and replies, "Yes. But this is a story for another day, my darling, and not one your young ear should hear anytime soon."

"Why?"

"Because you and your mother don't deserve to hear bad stories about Rhaegar, and all the ones we have on him are bad. But", she looks at Jaime, "we didn't bring you here to only tell stories."

He took her cue and began. "You are only nine, and yet you proved yourself to be quite smart. We come here with a proposal: should you bend the knee to us, we'll give you lordship of Dragonstone. It has been your family's seat for years, and I have no plans of changing that. Your mother may rule in your place until you reach proper age, and you can ask the Citadel for any Maester of choice. Your nephew Jon is currently my heir, but in case the Queen and I have a son of our own, he can be yours."

Silence. Then Rhaella speaks for the first time. "May we have time to think this through?"

If he was purely Tywin's son, he'd say no. He'd tell them it was either that or death. But he is not his father, so he gives them a day. "I'll fetch servants and have chambers prepared for you."

Later that night, Lyanna kisses him passionately. Before they shed clothes, he manages to ask what prompted it all. "You are the best man I could have asked for a husband", she replies as she pulls him to bed and kisses him again.

Hours later, when they are finally exhausted from love making—because this clearly was love making , not just fucking or even having sex —he whispers solemnly, "I love you, my queen."

She caresses his face as she replies, "And I love you , my king."

At noon, Rhaella and Viserys comes to him with an answer. "We accept your terms", the former queen says. "But Viserys wants something in return."

When he asks, "What?", he's afraid he'll demand a marriage for him, or worse, for his sister. But he just says, "Your Master of Whispers signed a marriage contract for me with Oberyn Martell half a year ago. I didn't agree to it, and I want it annulled."

Whatever conspiracy Varys and House Martell planned, it was clearly over, so it's easy for him to promise it'll be arranged. Viserys and Rhaella bend the knee and depart, though not without handing Daenerys to one of Lyanna's ladies. Arryn was the one to propose that they'd take the baby as hostage to assure the Targaryen's loyalty; Jaime didn't like it, but conceded.

Daenerys misses her family for four or five days, and then she's too busy playing with Jon. Some people claim they'd make a fine Targaryen match, but both Jaime and Lyanna dismisses any talks of betrothal. "I think this realm has suffered enough from forced betrothals", he says, which effectively shuts everyone down.

286 AC

At one sunny day, while his wife is away with Benjen visiting orphanages—she loved to do it, and Benjen had more time to follow her than Jaime—he receives a letter from Cersei.

Father is sending me to marry Stannis Baratheon , she says. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, honestly . I know I didn't go to your wedding, but please, I need you there.

He replies with as much optimism as he can muster. He is stern, but seems to be kind with his men , he describes. He recently knighted a former smuggler, and tales of their friendship often reach the Red Keep. He also seems honorable, almost as honorable as Lord Stark, so I believe you'll be able to tell him no. Sadly, this is more than I can say about most lords in this realm. I could list you all ways you could have done worse, sister, but I think it's unnecessary. I wish you all happiness in the world, Cersei, and I'll do my best to attend your wedding.

He realizes he's being honest in those last sentences. He no longer resents Cersei for what she did to him nearly three years ago. He'll always love her, he knows that, but now it's similar to his love for Tyrion; there is no place for anyone other than Lyanna in his heart.

Speaking of his wife, she returns sooner than anticipated, and he rushes to her when he notices her using Benjen as support. "Are you hurt?", he asks.

"No", she replies, smiling despite looking ready to vomit her last meal all over the floor. "I just… I should have known horse trips would be hard while expecting a child."

At that moment, he doesn't care if he's the king and should act properly. He just grabs his wife by her waist, takes her from her brother's arms and kisses her as passionately as they usually do in the privacy of their chambers.

Despite everyone's warning that 'a birth chamber is no place for a man', he stays for the entirety of his wife's labor, her head rested on his lap and her hands holding his tightly. She screams, and for a moment it seems that she's back to her first labor, stuck in a tower, but then he kisses her forehead and tells her he loves her, and she smiles right before screaming again.

She delivers twin girls that night. "We can name each of them", she says as they hold one baby each.

"This one is Princess Johanna Lannister", he decides, holding the youngest.

It takes a while for Lyanna to reply. "Would you mind if I named this one Visenya?"

He frowns. "I thought this was the name Rhaegar had in mind if Jon had been born a girl."

She grins. "I know it sounds petty, but… I want to rub in his grave that I got a Visenya, and not from his seed."

He laughs. "I've always admired Queen Visenya", he muses. "It's a very regal name."

"Then Princess Visenya Lannister it is."

Later, when the twins are asleep—Jon and Daenerys having long gotten separate chambers for them—Lyanna thanks him for staying with her. "You have no idea what it means to me", she says. "I was all alone at the first time. It was terrifying."

He pulls her closer and kisses her hair. "I'll always be with you", he whispers.

Lyanna stays behind in King's Landing with the twins when he goes to Storm's End for Cersei's wedding, bringing Tyrion, Jon and Daenerys along. At the morning of the ceremony, she knocks at his chambers. His muscles tense at the idea that she might try to have her way with him before getting married, but she simply sat at his bed and asks him to be the one to take her to the altar.

"I really don't want to hear Father's demands again", she admits. "It's all he does at home. I miss having you and Tyrion nearby."

He sits beside her and takes her hand. He's glad she mentions him and their brother on the same breath; she moved on too. "I suppose me being king gives me privilege over Father." He chuckles. "I've spoken to Lord Stannis last night. Already threatened him in case he makes you anything but happy."

She chuckles back. "I once asked father to not wed me to an unfaithful man", she says. "Stannis is as good as I can get, I suppose."

"For what it's worth, I meant it when I said I wish you happiness, sister", he says softly, unsure of what else to tell her.

She gives him a half smile. "Everyone says you and your wife are happy together. Tyrion once wrote home saying your face lights up at the mere sight of her." He nods, because it's the truth. "I'm glad you found happiness, Jaime. I really am."

At the feast, Cersei and Tyrion even manage to have a decent conversation, and he goes to bed with a smile. Both he and Cersei moved on; that's better than what he was able to envision all those years ago, when she broke things off with him with an icy glare and a cold voice.

289 AC

There is an orphan boy named Lucas. Lyanna introduces Jaime to him. He is sick, a mysterious disease that makes his body weak, but his mind stays sharp. Just as he befriends the boy, he dies suddenly.

In his honor, his son is named Lucas Lannister. He is born at night, like his sisters, but Lyanna doesn't scream nearly as much. He still stays the whole ordeal, and again his wife thanks him. Her gratitude makes his heart shatter a little; how could Rhaegar leave her all alone, with nobody but soldiers who didn't move a finger to help her?

Then again, he wonders how Rhaegar looked at his wife and saw only her womb. When he looks at Lyanna, he sees her beauty, that has yet to fade, and all the iron underneath—which is precisely what made him fall for her.

Two men fought a war for her, but for all the wrong reasons. If they knew Lyanna, they'd never fight for her—not because she's not worth it (because gods , she is), but because she is perfectly able to pick her own fights and finish them.

Lord Greyjoy proclaims himself king and starts a rebellion—certainly inspired by the late Robert Baratheon. He is more exasperated than anything else, and he just wants to finish this as quickly as possible. "I'll have to call your brother's banners", he tells his wife and Benjen.

Upon learning that he will personally lead the Western fleet, Lyanna offers to go with him. It pains him to deny, but it's necessary. "You are great with a sword", he says, "which is why I need you to stay with our children and Daenerys. For all I know, Greyjoy might have sent assassins for us."

He expects her to fight, but it seems that he said something right, because she hugs him tightly. After two heartbeats, she says, "You put Jon on your list of children."

He pulls her even closer. "He did call me 'papa' last week", he chuckles. Then he adds, more seriously, "I see him as my son as much as Lucas. My love for all four of them is the same."

(It isn't completely true, though; he loves his daughters slightly more. But don't all fathers?)

He takes Ser Victarion to Casterly Rock, but not to Lannisport. He ends up proving his loyalty to the crown when he slain his own brother Euron when he tries to invade the place.

The rebellion ends as quick as it started. Balon Greyjoy is sentenced to death, his son Theon takes his place and his daughter Asha is sent to Bear Island as hostage.

He spends a night at Casterly Rock, his old home, but sees little of Father. He prefers it that way; he had heard enough of his criticism when he arrived a few days prior.

Without any prompting, Tywin declared he should make it official that Lucas is his heir instead of Jon and that he should 'deal with that Targaryen' sooner rather than later. He expressed disapproval on how he had treated Rhaella and Viserys—too merciful, he claims. There were other small complaints, worth even less of his time. He listened to them all and replied, "I'm glad you're not in my council. We'd have gone to war in less than a year."

"Sometimes war is a necessary mean to—"

"—to nothing this reign is aiming for, I'm afraid."

"It is your duty to secure House Lannister's pow—"

"My duty is to make sure the realm can prosper at peace. Power without responsibility is nothing . And, if at your age, you haven't realized that, Father, I fear it's too late for you."

With that, he stood up and left the room. He doesn't see his father again, and he makes no effort to. He's glad to leave Casterly Rock and to go back home —not King's Landing itself, but to his wife's arms and his children's smiles.

On his first night home, he's on bed with Lyanna, watching her with Lucas, when he spills, "I might have lost my father's support."

She turns to see with wide eyes. "How in the world?"

He tells her about their conversation. She frowns. "Well, you surely hurt his ego, but I wouldn't go so far to say you lost him, at least not yet. You still have your uncle here, and Tyrion. Also, from what you've told me, you and Cersei are on good terms again. If he tries anything, he's alone."

He hums, nuzzling in her hair. She giggles. "I should probably speak with my uncle in the morning, though."

"Yes, you should. But I don't think you have anything to fear for now. Besides, he just saw what happens when someone tries to question your legitimacy. He won't want to be the next Balon Greyjoy."

When he talks to Kevan in the morning, his uncle praises his reign and reassures him where his loyalty lies. "There is one thing I agree with your father, though", he says. "You have to decide whether Jon will remain your heir or if you'll pass the title to Lucas."

Jaime sighs. "I know, I know." And he does know. Problem is, he doesn't know if he wants to name Lucas his heir. Not that he doesn't think his toddler son will make a bad ruler—he has no way to guess that—but he sees a lot of promise in one of his daughters.

291 AC

Tyrion's wedding to Tysha, one of Lyanna's maids, has to be postponed due to his father's death. "How typical", Cersei snarls. "He hated Tyrion so much, he had to find a way to disturb his wedding."

Somewhere inside him, he feels proud that his sister has come to care enough for Tyrion to get angry at that turn of events. "At least he won't bother any of us anymore", he points out.

"Shouldn't we grieve our father?"

He shrugs. "Was he ever a father ?"

Raising Jon, having Daenerys around and having four children of his own—Princess Jeyne is now three months old—opened his eyes to how fatherfood is supposed to be like. He can't bring himself to not shower his kids with love, and has trouble wondering how could Tywin be so cold towards them.

He has never been hugged by Father, and yet he can't see any of his children without feeling a strong urge to crush them in his arms. He loves to hear them laugh and never wastes an opportunity to make them do so. He has to be stopped by Lyanna almost every day from spoiling them and indulging on their wishes. How can any man behave any differently is beyond his understanding.

Cersei has a two-year old, a cute girl named Shireen. She had sent him letters asking for opinions on boy and girl names; she had wanted Joffrey for a boy and Myrcella for a girl, but apparently not even Davos Seaworth—who, according to Cersei, always supported her decisions—agreed, and Shireen won. Stannis is not a warm man at all , she wrote him on her daughter's birthday, but he loves Shireen, and has no problems showing it. We may never love each other like husband and wife, but we can bond over our love for our daughter, so I suppose life is good.

They wait three weeks, and finally the wedding happens. It's a joyous affair, held at King's Landing, and everyone is happy. Lyanna and Cersei spend much of the night together, while he is introduced to some noblemen's children.

After Tyrion and Tysha go to Casterly Rock to take over it, his wife asks him to visit Winterfell. "Our children have never been there, and only Jon and Robb have met. Ned just got a new son, Bran. We could all come."

A royal visit to the North is due, he realizes, so he promptly agrees. "You can go straight to Winterfell or follow me. I have yet to meet Lord Manderly's lands, he'll be overjoyed to hear of this travel."

She kisses him hard, and for a moment he thinks she'll take him in the middle of the corridor, but she breaks the kiss and smiles. "Thank you", she whispers.

Jon calls him 'dad' and Daenerys calls him 'uncle'; everyone at the Red Keep is used to it by now, but this is not the case for the rest of Westeros, so Eddard is understandably surprised when he hears them saying that.

It's the two kids who provide an explanation. Jon is already eight, and Dany is about to turn eight too, so they are more than capable of speaking for themselves. "I know King Jaime is not my real father", Jon says, "but he raised me like one and loves me like he loves my brother and sisters. I love him just like I love mom, so…"

He keeps looking at the floor to hide his smile and his (maybe) watery eyes. Then come Daenerys' turn. "Jon is like a cousin to me, so obviously his mother is Aunt Lyanna and his father is Uncle Jaime."

Eddard pats him on the shoulder. He just nods.

Robb never addresses him as king; instead, he takes Dany's lessons and calls him 'uncle' all the time. Sansa, a true lady even at 5 years old, only stops calling him 'Your Grace' when he asks her. Arya, despite being capable of speaking actual words, chooses to shout instead, and Bran babbles something similar to 'Jay' and 'Lya'.

Jon, Robb and Daenerys all hang out together; Robb seems delighted to have other children his age. Visenya keeps following them, eager to play their games. Johanna and Sansa become instant friends, while Lucas and Jeyne join Arya and Bran.

"Who knew Starks and Lannisters would get along so fine?", he teases his two goodbrothers—Benjen, of course, came along.

"To be fair, Robb isn't bonding with any Lannister", Lyanna says.

"Please, my love, Jon just admitted to see me as his father figure. He may lack Lannister blood, but he has the spirit."

His wife raises her eyebrows at him, and he knows what she's thinking: Jon is purely Stark, not a single trace of Targaryen or Lannister in him. It's like Lyanna made him all by herself.

At the end of their trip, after a long talk, they decide to let Jon stay to be fostered at Winterfell. Daenerys cries, because Jon is her 'favorite cousin'—she calls Johanna, Visenya, Lucas and Jeyne her cousins too—but he tells her he has adventures planned for her, and she calms down a bit.

Truth is, he has talked to Lady Rhaella (who refuses to be addressed as Queen), and they do have a plan for the former princess; it will just need her to grow a bit older.

295 AC

Dany is eleven years old when she departs to Essos with her mother. At 18 years of age, Viserys is more than capable of running Dragonstone on his own, and Jaime sends the two women with Ser Jorah Mormont, knighted after proving his value at the short-lived Greyjoy Rebellion.

She and Jon have written to each other four times a year, while Jon writes to the rest of them only twice in the same period. Everyone is sure they'll want to marry each other when the time comes, but no one dares voice that opinion in front of them.

A few weeks after Dany is gone, he takes Visenya to a council meeting. Despite being only nine, she has an interest in politics that none of his other kids show, not even Jon and Lucas—who enjoys books and music way more. Johanna is a proper lady and enjoys some aspects of ruling, but Visenya lives up to her namesake. Jaime has yet to unname Jon as his heir, and it's because he wants to show the court that Visenya is the best candidate for the throne.

The meeting goes as usual, until Varys speaks. "My little birds told me of barrels of wildfire hidden under the city's tunnels. Obviously, I went down to check, and it's true my lords. Some say they have been there since Aerys' time."

"They have been there since Robert's Rebellion", he says. Finally, the time has come. The men all turn to look at him. Visenya's mouth hangs open. "Yes, I knew. Had no way to prove it, which is why I kept my mouth shut." He closes his eyes for a moment, memories of that fateful day playing in his head. "Aerys had his pyromancers spread barrels of wildfire under the city. He planned to ignite them the moment Lord Tywin stepped foot in King's Landing." Faintly, he hears his screams. Burn them all, burn them all… "I could only think of one way to stop him."

For several moments, nobody says a word. Then Visenya leaves her chair and hug him. "My hero", she whispers. He smiles and kisses the top of her head.

"So", he begins after his daughter sits back down and the men remain silent, "what's our plan to get rid of those?"

297 AC

One rainy day, he receives a letter from Jon. I don't think we've ever talked this through , it says, but I've thought long about it, and I don't want the crown. I believe it was never meant to be mine anyway, but I still think you should know this.

He smiles, and so does Lyanna. "Lucas doesn't want a crown either", she says. "I've tried to convince him, but he's set on becoming a maester ."

He shrugs. "Then it's time to name Visenya our heir."

He does it from the throne, in front of every court member present at the time. Arryn writes to all great houses informing of his announcement.

As expected, many nobles complain. There is no precedent for a woman on the Iron Throne , some say. Others remind him of Rhaenyra Targaryen and the Dance of the Dragons. A few question why Jon is no longer heir. However, any noble who has met Visenya claims it's a wise decision.

"I suppose there was no precedent for a Lannister on the throne either", Arryn says.

"Or a Stark", Velaryon adds. "And here we are."

298 AC

Jon Arryn passes away on his sleep near the end of the year. Jon manages to come for the funeral, but Dany doesn't. Her brother Viserys is named Hand of the King, and Daenerys and Rhaella are summoned to King's Landing so Viserys can name his sister his heir.

They arrive with the most curious thing: dragons .

"We were travelling with a khalasar ", Dany explains, "and they stole three dragon eggs from a seller from Asshai. Everyone tried to hatch them, with no success, until the khal died and I got inside the pyre to place the eggs there."

"I nearly had a heart attack", Rhaella tells, "but then the fire died out and there was Dany, naked and bald and covered in ashes, with three baby dragons resting on her shoulders."

"They wanted to name me khaleesi ", Daenerys continues. "After all, I was the only one to successfully hatch the eggs. But I pointed to the late khal 's son and told them to follow him. I even named my dragon Drogon, to pay him respects."

"Also because you liked him", Ser Jorah remarked dryly. Dany's cheeks reddened, and everyone laughed.

She hands the other two dragons to her brother. "Drogon bonded with me in a minute", she says. "Mother wasn't so lucky, but I'm sure one of them will warm up to you."

None of them do, but Viserys accepts defeat gracefully. "Why don't you give them to Jon?", he suggests. "He's a Targaryen too."

Dany lights up at hearing that Jon is at King's Landing and goes to find him. Meanwhile, Lucas and Visenya approach the two dragons on Viserys' lap. "So cool", his son whispers in awe. "Can we touch them?"

"Just be careful", his Hand warns them just as the green dragon tries to bite Lucas' finger. Visenya laughs at her brother as she approaches the dragons.

Then, the unexpected happens: the golden dragon climbs Visenya's arm and rests on her shoulder, nuzzling the crook of her neck. Daenerys arrives back with Jon and beams at the scene. "He chose you , dear cousin", she announces.

Visenya names her dragon Viserion, claiming that, if she stole Viserys' dragon, she should at least name it after him. Jon bonds with the third dragon easily, but struggles to find a name for it. Lucas thinks for ten minutes and comes up with 'Dan'.

"And this why I got a dragon and not you", Visenya spats, making everyone laugh. "Also, if you get married I'll make sure to tell your wife to forbid you from naming your children."

Ser Jorah suggests to name it after Jon's father, since he was Targaryen and all, but Jon angrily replies that Rhaegar doesn't deserve to live on a dragon's name. He holds his wife's hand tightly as her eyes are filled with tears, but she doesn't cry.

Johanna, who shows up out of nowhere with Jeyne in her arms and Margaery Tyrell—one of Visenya's ladies-in-waiting, who bonded with the heir's twin sister better than with the twin she's supposed to bond with—behind her, suggests to name the dragon after Rhaella, but nobody can come up with a good dragon version of her name.

"Aegor", Visenya suggests, "after… well, pick any Aegon of your choice."

"Velarya", Margaery suggests after being asked. "I don't know, it sounded good in my head."

"Greenie", Lucas says, which earns a bite from Viserion.

"Vermithor", Jaime offers. "I think they were both of roughly the same color."

"How do you know the colors of old dragons?", Viserys asks.

"Tyrion had a dragon phase when he was six. Couldn't shut up about them."

As people come and go from the solar, many other names are suggested, and Jon writes them all down. Lucas is forbidden from speaking up after he comes up with 'Timmy', and Visenya now claims that he should really become a maester, because she dreads the day he has offspring.

All old dragon names are suggested. There is a 'Nymeria' somewhere, given by Lyanna, and a 'Rhaenar', given by his uncle when he shows up, in a homage to whichever Rhaenys Jon might want to honor. Someone advocates for 'Khalasaar', and another someone for 'Dragonstone'. At one point, Jon snaps that he'll just name it 'Dragon', which earns another bite from Viserion.

"Visenya, stop using your dragon to bite your brothers", Lyanna says dryly.

By supper, they stop suggesting names and start voting for the ones already in the name pool. There is a tie between 'Aegor' and 'Velarya', which makes Margaery delighted—especially after Lord Velaryon advocates for the name.

Jon settles the matter by flipping a coin, and Aegor wins. Just as he tries to claim it's in honor of his late brother, Visenya says, "It should be in honor of Aegon III, the Dragonsbane."

Jon tries to get Aegor to bite his sister, but fails miserably.

300 AC

At Jon's request, he and Daenerys wed at Winterfell.

There is a ceremony at the sept, but, like with Lyanna, the moment Jon treasures most is when he and Dany exchange vows at the godswood.

Johanna and Robb dance together for most of the night, and Lyanna expresses her hopes for a match between them. "You just want an excuse to come here more often, don't you", he teases.

"Or maybe I want more Starks at King's Landing", she replies just as teasingly.

Aegor and Drogon are not big enough for riding, but big enough for a nice spectacle. Of course, their mere presence, along with Viserion's, is enough to draw attention. Even when dragons were a regular presence at Westeros, the North wasn't visited by them.

Arya and Bran are the most excited with the dragons, and Visenya lets them approach Viserion with a wide smile. Jon convinced Sansa to approach Aegor after an hour of patient talk from him and Johanna. Rickon and Jeyne were left to play far from the dragons, since they were too young to approach them.

Eddard gifts Jon with a direwolf. He, Robb and Bran found a whole pack of puppies on their way home. His former heir names his wolf 'Ghost', thanks to its white fur, and his half-sisters declare that he is better at naming wolves than at naming dragons. "I'm still better than Lucas", he huffs, and they all laugh.

However, in the morning after the wedding, Eddard approaches him with a heavy expression. "Your Grace", he begins, and Jaime knows he's being serious. His goodbrother hasn't called him by his royal title in a long time. "We've received many letters from the Night's Watch over the last two years. They claim the Others are real, and are approaching the Wall."

"And you think we can believe them?"

"None of the current commanders would joke on such things. You may not have noticed yet at your home, but winter has come harsher than expected." He nods; snow fell shortly before their departure, something that normally doesn't happen in the South until late into the season. "Members have deserted more and more often, and the wildlings have become even more desperate to cross the Wall. I'm seriously considering letting them come, if the Others truly are the cause for all of this."

He remembers some stories about the Others from Tyrion. It used to give him nightmares as a child. He suddenly feels cooler. "What can we do about it?"

The two talk about it until they are called for lunch. There are more questions than answers, and Jaime decides on going to the Wall to see for himself what is happening.

Only Eddard, Benjen and Visenya follow him, and he only allows his daughter to come because of her dragon. They are welcomed by a frail Maester Aemon, who tells him the tale of a Samwell Tarly who killed a wight with fire, and a ranger who accidentally killed another wight with a valyrian sword. "We believe valyrian steel is what the ancient legends call 'dragonglass', which are known to kill wights", he explains.

"The dragons have returned, Maester", Jaime says. "Daenerys Stormborn hatched three dragon eggs from Asshai. My daughter has one of them. Visenya, come closer."

She nudges Viserion to approach the maester, even telling him not to bite the old man. Aemon chuckles. "I don't recall there being Targaryen blood in your ancestry line, princess."

"No, maester, I don't think there is", she concedes. "We've searched. Targaryens and Lannisters have never wed each other."

"There must be something truly magical in you then, my girl, to become a dragonrider."

Visenya's smirk reminds him of his own arrogant smirks of his younger years, but he can't bring himself to chastise her. After all, his daughter has a lot more to be proud of.

They go up the top of the Wall, and Visenya releases Viserion. He doesn't fly too far, though. "Alysanne's Silverwing wouldn't dare go far from the Wall either", Aemon mentions. "Winter arrived, Your Grace, and the Others with it. We must be prepared, for this might be the greatest battle we'll ever face. But for now, all we can do is wait."

303 AC

They wait, and prepare.

Viserys ends up marrying Arianne Martell anyway, while Lucas goes to the Citadel upon turning thirteen. Johanna and Robb get married at Winterfell, which is used as an excuse for the dragons to visit the North. Visenya, Jon and Dany release their dragons, but they always come back quickly.

Now the dragons are big enough to ride, and the trio train their flight whenever they can. Visenya even goes to Dragonstone to stay with Dany and Jon. She is set to marry Edric Dayne, but only after the threat of the Others is dealt with. For now, she doesn't think it's a good idea, and he respects her decision.

Every House is warned to ready themselves to head North at any moment's notice, and Rhaella and Viserys go to Essos to ask for help from the Free Cities. Red priests show up from seemingly nowhere, claiming to have come for the greatest battle of all time.

The Night's Watch gains members, but loses almost the same amount on ranges. Maester Aemon dies months after Jaime's first visit. Not every nobleman is willing to send their sons to fight an evil they have yet to see and believe in. The ones that are, though, begin training women so they won't miss their men as much. Cersei finally gets the sword training she's been wishing for since they were kids, and even Shireen practices.

Eddard lets the wildlings settle at the Gift. He sends him letters regarding their tales, and, more often than not, he has to hug Lyanna tightly to be able to fall asleep. Theon Greyjoy talks about frozen seas and asks for his people to take refuge at land, with the promise that no raids will happen under his watch. Bear Island asks the same thing.

Traveling through sea is getting more and more dangerous as days pass by, so when Jaime decides it's time to go North, they go through Kingsroad—not all of them, though. At last moment, Visenya, Jon and Dany show up in their dragons. "We can bring one person on each of their backs", his daughter announces. "Who wants a dragon ride?"

He and Lyanna politely refuse, but Lucas—who came from the Citadel to fight—and Johanna promptly volunteer. His son climbs on Aegor and Johanna joins her twin. Dany begs her brother to come with her, and eventually Viserys concedes.

Fortunately, Jeyne prefers horses over dragons, so she isn't upset to lose a dragon ride. Instead, she keeps racing with Robb (who was visiting King's Landing with Johanna) until the snow makes it impossible to run.

They meet his sister and her husband midway. Cersei asks if any member of the royal family is staying at King's Landing. "No, we're all here", he replies. "Lyanna is as skilled as a knight, and all our children are good enough too. Not to mention Visenya and Jon have dragons." He can't keep the proud smile off his face when he mentions that last fact.

"Starks and Lannisters never married Targaryens, right?", Stannis asks. "Aside from Queen Lyanna and the late Rhaegar."

Lyanna answers for him. "We've searched all family trees we could find, and Lucas did his own research at the Citadel. You are correct, Lord Stannis. Jon is the first Stark-Targaryen child, and Visenya has no dragonrider blood."

At night, in their tent, he teases, "I'm going to rub off Rhaegar's grave that my Visenya has a dragon ."

Lyanna laughs in a completely unladylike manner, and it's his favorite laugh of hers. After a while, she says, "You know, now that the Lannisters are dragonriders too, you could marry your sister with no opposition."

It's his turn to laugh. "How convenient", he muses, "that we no longer want that." Then, as if to prove his statement, he kisses his wife, and soon they are making love like it isn't snowing heavily outside.

It feels like every single deceased person is a member of the Army of the Dead, even those who perished south of the wall. Even with armies from Westeros and Essos on their side, he fears they won't be enough.

Mounted, the dragons are capable of crossing the Wall. It's Jon that informs them of the huge size of the Others' army, while Dany warns that they should wait for day time to attack. "They seem to be able to see at night as well as during the day", she explains. "Let us rest tonight, and tomorrow morning Jon, Visenya and I lead the attack."

Red priests and priestesses perform magical rituals to set swords aflame. The Seven are mostly forgotten as people pray to the old gods and to the Lord of the Light. As he walks through the top of the Wall, he sees all kinds of groups: mercenary companies, Dothraki, Faceless Men, Ironborn, warriors from Summer Isles and even warriors from far east. Daenerys points them all, armed with her knowledge of years at Essos.

"This is the moment all prophecies talked about", she says. "Even the one that led my brother to do what he did to Aunt Lyanna."

"I hope it was worth it", he replies, glancing at Jon. The dragon must have three heads , Rhaegar used to say. With Aegon and Rhaenys gone, will Dany and Visenya be enough?

He refuses to dwell on that, and, at night, he and his unmarried children all sleep at the same bed with him and Lyanna. He may not be a Stark by blood, but he has long learned the pack that stays together is the one that survives.

At sunrise, he hugs Visenya, Jon and Dany tightly. He doesn't let himself think that he might lose any of them; he can't . Just like he can't think of losing Lyanna, Cersei, Johanna, Lucas, Jeyne, Robb… he has a big family now, and he can't stand the thought of losing any of them. He'd rather die.

So, when a giant wight grabs him by the waist and he can hear his bones breaking, he manages to cut his throat open and lets himself fall. He closes his eyes and thinks of his family.

He doesn't feel the impact on the ground.

He doesn't die.

He guesses as such when he opens his eyes and sees Lyanna sitting by his side, a huge scar on her cheek and puffy eyes. His suspicion is confirmed when she exclaims, "Oh Jaime, you're awake!", and kisses him.

Johanna brings him water, and the two tell him what happened after he fainted.

"Vis, Jon and Dany reached the Heart of Winter", his daughter explains. "Apparently that was where the leaders of the Others were. They said it was a hard battle, and they almost died at least once each, but suddenly all wights dropped dead, and we knew they won." The three dragon riders and their dragons came back safe and sound, and were celebrated as heroes.

He asks who died, because someone must have. Lyanna cries a bit as she says her brothers' names. "Our Johanna will be Lady of Winterfell sooner than we thought", she says.

None of his children died, but Viserys did, and his heart aches for Rhaella, who is unaware that only one child of hers will go back home, and for Arianne, whose baby son will never know his father. Stannis's brother Renly was also killed, along with Margaery's brother Loras and her father. Ser Jorah Mormont died as well, and so did Asha Greyjoy, who fought like an Ironborn and a Mormont at the same time. Edric Dayne died as well, and Johanna claims her twin cried for the husband she didn't let herself have.

Cersei was wounded, but is recovering; the same is said about Lucas, Sansa, Bran, Tysha Lannister (who came in her husband's name) and many others. "Where are we?", he eventually asks.

"Castle Black", his daughter replies. He turns to her, and for the first time he sees Robb, sleeping. Johanna smiles and nods, answering his question before he can ask.

He then turns to his wife. "Are you alright?"

She smiles and kisses his forehead. "I'll be", she says. "With you by my side, I'll always be."

The snow melts as if it's spring, and, for the decades that come, every year has four seasons, lasting three months each.

The years go by. Once called the Kingslayer and the Dragon's Whore, Jaime and Lyanna go down in history as King Jaime the Peacebringer and Queen Lyanna the Brave, both often compared to Old King Jaehaerys I and Good Queen Alysanne. The only actual war fought in their reign was one that unified the realms instead of tearing them apart.

Eventually they die; Lyanna is taken by a fever at 65 years old, and heartbreak leads to Jaime having a stroke a year later. Visenya Lannister, the Winged Lioness—or Winged She-Wolf, as she is called in the North—is crowned queen with no opposition.

Jaime's story is inspiration for jokes and songs, and what once was meant to be a punishment for his oath breaking is now a tale to inspire generations to come.