The Shadow Queen of Tywin Lannister

CXXVIII. Jaime's Confession

Winterfell, The North, Westeros - Day

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The sound of horse hooves kicking snow could faintly be heard all the way to the castle, carried by the northern wind. Many had moved to see who was arriving, some expecting to be the Royal Reinforcements they expected ever since King Tommen agreed to send men to help with the upcoming battle.

However, they were disappointed as they only saw a small group of Lannister soldiers with Jaime and his brother, Trystan, leading it.

No one knew why the two lions had come with such a small army but they were soon to find out. The moment their horses came to a halt, everyone made it clear that Jaime was not welcome but he had been expecting that.

One might say they expected worse treatment but no one tried to stab or attack them as they were guided into the castle, which was an improved beginning; at least from all those bad scenarios Jaime and even Trystan had expected.

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Great Hall, Winterfell – The North, Westeros

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Jaime and Trystan had been led into the Great Hall, while their small escort was left outside. Once the two brothers stepped into the room, they could feel the angry and hateful stares coming from almost every person in the room.

One good look around and they could see a lot of familiar and unfamiliar faces, but the sigils on their clothes were enough to tell them from which house they came from.

On the left of the room, there was a shorter table which was occupied by Tyrion, Varys, Missandei and Jorah. On the right side, the table was occupied by Davos, Lyanna Mormont, Yohn Royce, Alys Karstark and Brienne.

Of course, at the head of the room was the biggest and longest table. Right in the middle sat Daenerys with Jon on her left, Sansa on her right and Bran by her side; a child of the forest known as Leaf standing next to him. Arya was standing in a corner, watching them in silence as Trystan and Jaime were left to stand in the middle of the room and face the Mother of Dragons.

Daenerys sized them up and down for good, now free to do so and in a slightly less hostile environment than the Dragon Pits. She took notice of the golden arm Jaime had that was constantly pressed against his body, while also having been informed prior on how he lost his original hand.

She paid attention to Trystan as well, the only one whom she shared common blood with. She did not truly have anything against him, although she did feel a small disappointment to see him bearing the Lannister colours.

She would feel better if he had the Targaryen colours instead. Yet again, it could make it easier for her to kill him; if they meet on the battlefield and fight for opposing sides.

However, for now, she did not have any beef with the younger Lion. Instead, she had with the older one, who kept looking at her.

"When I was a child, my brother would tell me a bedtime story about the man who murdered our father." She started, making Jaime subconsciously stiffen his muscles. "Who stabbed him in the back and cut his throat? Who sat down on the Iron Throne and watched as his blood poured onto the floor." She continued, making the said Lion cast his eyes lower. "He told me other stories as well. About all the things we would do to that man once we took back the Seven Kingdoms and had him in our grasp."