[ He supposes that he ought to be angry, truthfully, he just sounds tired. Even during Robert's reign, Jaime had never much enjoyed speaking to Stannis. He's not certain there's a man in the Seven Kingdoms who ever did.
It's foolish to reach out to the man now, to keep the matter fresh and afloat in his mind. It's like only to encourage him. But the middle Baratheon has shown himself nothing if not irritatingly honest in Joffrey's address, and Jaime does not care for the thought of the boy's tantrum upon learning that he'd never followed through. He can already hear the screams: You promised -- !
Oaths between Lannisters, how droll. ]
But speak of the Stranger, and he shall appear; I suppose you've Stark and myself to thank for that.
[ Stannis is hardly a man to forget a voice, particularly one responsible for so much treason. Shortly after the Rebellion, he had told Robert that the realm might be better served if the man lost his head. Robert had laughed at the suggestion, as he had so many others.
Perhaps then, his brother might still yet live, and the realm might remain united. So, forgive him (or don't, really) if his voice sounds full of utter disdain. ]
[ Oh, he remembers every name that spoke against him. Heard it passed in whisper and plain speech alike, read it raw in open stares. Selmy suggested the Wall and called it a mercy, and Stannis -- well.
He never felt much fright at the prospect. By the time Aerys was through, Jaime was certain that he'd spent all the fear a man could hold. ]
My lord. At last I heard you were at seat in the north. I trust the snow keeps itself well.
[ A lift of the diction at that; he's heard of Jon's presence, if little else. ]
My royal nephew is no king here. Harm him, and I'll pay you in kind, but I'd sooner not have your blood. There's no point of it. Gods, when we return you might even keep the fucking north, for all I care.
[ He laughs. It's not pleasant. ]
I am sharper than to hope you and I might come to understanding; but know any conflict you would provoke in this place for your own.
And that all depends on if there is a North left to keep, Ser Kingslayer.
[ Winter was coming for them all, and should none stand against the Others... But, that is not the matter at hand, now is it? ]
Then you would have me put on a mummer's farce for the boy's sake. That, I cannot abide by, but nor will I seek to take up arms against him. There is no Iron Throne here, and I would not seek to dishonour the laws of this land.
Best watch it closely, then; else the ice will run out from beneath your feet.
[ He can dream. Stannis slipping his own godsdamned wall would be a treat. ]
No, my lord, I don't think singing would suit you -- even were you more inclined. Be your charming, natural self, if you will. My terms were made plain. Whatever else the boy might be, he is my sister's son, and I would not see him dead twice. You can abide by this?
[ Abomination. It's rich, coming from a kinslayer -- even I, my lord, have never stooped so low. He wants to laugh again, to snarl; feels that familiar temper build in his chest. Jaime's never liked the boy, Robert's child that he's become, but he's at least not this one.
He's twice the bloody noble for it, you daft, haggard fool.
Riverrun spent him long nights learning patience. If he can keep his calm with the Blackfish, he can speak evenly now to lesser men. ]
You'll have more luck digging a well in Dorne, but if it amuses you, have to. Of course, it was not a fall that killed Lord Renly either, to hear tell.
[ There is silence for a moment. For a man that had spent years denying his involvement, even to himself, the constant reminder of Melisandre's magic was a slap to the face. Still...
It is only kinslaying if the man swings the sword on an innocent. (And he will not think of how close he might have come to doing so to Edric Storm)
Regardless, the punishment for treason had been death, all men knew that. It did not matter if that man had been a brother or a stranger. If he did not follow the letter of the law, then who would?
He fought for the realm. Could Ser Jaime Lannister ever say the same thing? ]
Despite what Ser Loras would say, my hands were clean. Still, a traitor to the realm would have had to eventually meet his death, though it pains me to say it.
[ For he knew himself to be many things, but unlike the Kingslayer, he was not a cruel man. ]
[ Confirmation, written in the hesitation of his silences, the dwelling in his words. It's nothing that he needs; but it's ugly all the same.
You murdered your brother at his game of make believe. Jaime wonders if Tyrion would have felt sympathy. ]
Ser Loras? No, the pretty little dolt bought the lies easily enough. Now, [ Brienne -- ] Catelyn Tully...an honourable fish, I hope you wouldn't have me take her for false. I did not tumble here from off a turnip cart.
A traitor needs a trial, my lord, or have you forgotten? There's so much blood in a neck, I wonder, did it tug at yours to feel it spill?
You know, I used to dream of it. Dirty hands. The one which killed Aerys is gone now, and I dream not. [ A lie. ] Perhaps you ought to consider the same.
[ He should not care what the Kingslayer may think, but for a man who has done what he has done to cast a shadow on his honour.
Stannis has always done his duty. To his brother, to his realm. He would not be judged by this man. ]
Do they? What of Rhaenyra Targaryen, who sought to usurp her brother's throne? Make no mistake, if Joffrey had been Robert's trueborn son, I would have fought for him, loathsome as the boy is. Renly would have still sought to make himself king.
[ Another pause. ]
Be that as it may, a sleeping man cannot wield a sword. And he was not killed by my hand, which is more than can be said of Tywin Lannister, murdered by your younger brother, so they say.
[ For two years, he has been plagued by dreams of his brother's death. To think that he has anything in common with the Kingslayer...
Whatever else he may be, he was not the one to kill him. His hands were clean. ]
I will not be a contrarian when I know not exactly what her words truly were. Between the two of us, one has proven themselves to be a man of their word.
[ Of that, no man could deny. Stannis was hardly the sort to lie, even when the odds were stacked against him.
Still, he would not allow the Kingslayer to accuse him of such a grave crime without a fight (yet it still remains that the punishment for treason is death). ]
I did not hire a man to poison Renly, all men could plainly see such a thing. If you mean for me to admit some manner of wrongdoing, you will not have that either. Treason is absolute, as it has always been.
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voice; private, backdated to just after jaime's network post
It's foolish to reach out to the man now, to keep the matter fresh and afloat in his mind. It's like only to encourage him. But the middle Baratheon has shown himself nothing if not irritatingly honest in Joffrey's address, and Jaime does not care for the thought of the boy's tantrum upon learning that he'd never followed through. He can already hear the screams: You promised -- !
Oaths between Lannisters, how droll. ]
But speak of the Stranger, and he shall appear; I suppose you've Stark and myself to thank for that.
voice; private
Perhaps then, his brother might still yet live, and the realm might remain united. So, forgive him (or don't, really) if his voice sounds full of utter disdain. ]
Ser Jaime Lannister.
[ there is a marked disdain in his voice. ]
voice; private
He never felt much fright at the prospect. By the time Aerys was through, Jaime was certain that he'd spent all the fear a man could hold. ]
My lord. At last I heard you were at seat in the north. I trust the snow keeps itself well.
[ A lift of the diction at that; he's heard of Jon's presence, if little else. ]
voice; private
[ a pause as he clenches his jaw. ]
Spare me your half pleasantries and speak plainly.
[ Truth be told, he would rather speak to the man no longer than necessary. ]
Your baseborn son threw out your name, as if he meant to intimidate me. Are you to follow through with his "orders", ser?
voice; private
[ He laughs. It's not pleasant. ]
I am sharper than to hope you and I might come to understanding; but know any conflict you would provoke in this place for your own.
voice; private
And that all depends on if there is a North left to keep, Ser Kingslayer.
[ Winter was coming for them all, and should none stand against the Others... But, that is not the matter at hand, now is it? ]
Then you would have me put on a mummer's farce for the boy's sake. That, I cannot abide by, but nor will I seek to take up arms against him. There is no Iron Throne here, and I would not seek to dishonour the laws of this land.
[ If, in fact, it had any. ]
voice; private
[ He can dream. Stannis slipping his own godsdamned wall would be a treat. ]
No, my lord, I don't think singing would suit you -- even were you more inclined. Be your charming, natural self, if you will. My terms were made plain. Whatever else the boy might be, he is my sister's son, and I would not see him dead twice. You can abide by this?
voice; private
[ Not until every last traitor in the realm is dead and buried.
His jaw clenches, and he is silent for a moment. ]
As I said, there would be no use in killing him. Be that as it may, I will have him know himself for the baseborn abomination that he truly is.
voice; private
He's twice the bloody noble for it, you daft, haggard fool.
Riverrun spent him long nights learning patience. If he can keep his calm with the Blackfish, he can speak evenly now to lesser men. ]
You'll have more luck digging a well in Dorne, but if it amuses you, have to. Of course, it was not a fall that killed Lord Renly either, to hear tell.
voice; private
It is only kinslaying if the man swings the sword on an innocent. (And he will not think of how close he might have come to doing so to Edric Storm)
Regardless, the punishment for treason had been death, all men knew that. It did not matter if that man had been a brother or a stranger. If he did not follow the letter of the law, then who would?
He fought for the realm. Could Ser Jaime Lannister ever say the same thing? ]
Despite what Ser Loras would say, my hands were clean. Still, a traitor to the realm would have had to eventually meet his death, though it pains me to say it.
[ For he knew himself to be many things, but unlike the Kingslayer, he was not a cruel man. ]
voice; private
You murdered your brother at his game of make believe. Jaime wonders if Tyrion would have felt sympathy. ]
Ser Loras? No, the pretty little dolt bought the lies easily enough. Now, [ Brienne -- ] Catelyn Tully...an honourable fish, I hope you wouldn't have me take her for false. I did not tumble here from off a turnip cart.
A traitor needs a trial, my lord, or have you forgotten? There's so much blood in a neck, I wonder, did it tug at yours to feel it spill?
You know, I used to dream of it. Dirty hands. The one which killed Aerys is gone now, and I dream not. [ A lie. ] Perhaps you ought to consider the same.
voice; private
[ He should not care what the Kingslayer may think, but for a man who has done what he has done to cast a shadow on his honour.
Stannis has always done his duty. To his brother, to his realm. He would not be judged by this man. ]
Do they? What of Rhaenyra Targaryen, who sought to usurp her brother's throne? Make no mistake, if Joffrey had been Robert's trueborn son, I would have fought for him, loathsome as the boy is. Renly would have still sought to make himself king.
[ Another pause. ]
Be that as it may, a sleeping man cannot wield a sword. And he was not killed by my hand, which is more than can be said of Tywin Lannister, murdered by your younger brother, so they say.
[ For two years, he has been plagued by dreams of his brother's death. To think that he has anything in common with the Kingslayer...
Whatever else he may be, he was not the one to kill him. His hands were clean. ]
voice; private
[ So they say. He bristles, involuntary -- not entirely aware. Tyrion's own words flash in his mind. Do not allow the to redirect the conversation. ]
Not by your hand, no. Of course, if I hired a man to poison you, I too would be guilty of the act. How convenient, that darkness should free you.
voice; private
[ Of that, no man could deny. Stannis was hardly the sort to lie, even when the odds were stacked against him.
Still, he would not allow the Kingslayer to accuse him of such a grave crime without a fight (yet it still remains that the punishment for treason is death). ]
I did not hire a man to poison Renly, all men could plainly see such a thing. If you mean for me to admit some manner of wrongdoing, you will not have that either. Treason is absolute, as it has always been.
voice; private
Words are slippy little things; fitting that my brother has always been fond. Refuse them anything you like, my lord, and may it bring you great joy.
The dead and their dreams do not ask mortal proofs.
voice; private
[ And justice was what was done, regardless of how it came to pass, was it not? The punishment for treason was and would always be death. ]