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[christy]

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Lucyfer

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a game of thrones

private roleplay b/w lucyfer & christy

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[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto didn't know how long she had to wait.

It felt like it had been hours already, since she arrived at Robb Stark's camp. Getting there hadn't been very easy. She supposed now was one of those times she appreciated her small size, since it usually allowed her to get around unnoticed. However, in a camp led by her uncle, where she was finally expected to use the skills she'd picked up, getting away undetected had proved to be quite a task. She had to wait till night fell, and she was almost certain that word of her departure would get across to him soon, perhaps even before reaching Robb's camp.

In any case, she arrived, she made her presence known, and she had to try hard not to draw her sword on the men that approached her. They, of course, assumed the worst, just by looking at the gold lion pin she had pinned over her clothes. As much as she may despise many of the Lannisters, it was still her house sigil, and it was a parting gift of sorts, from her father, right before she left with her uncle Jaime.

Her father. Otto couldn't even begin to think about how her betrayal might affect him. At the moment he was back at Casterly Rock, and she didn't doubt that Tywin would take his anger out on his nephew as soon as he found out that Otto had flocked to the other side of the war. It pained her to think about it, but she remembered her father's parting words, "Don't worry about me. You do what you think is right and I... I'll manage."

It didn't exactly sound like a happy ending, but Otto knew she didn't have any other choice. She didn't like going against Jaime, since he'd been one of the few from her family to treat her with some respect, but she'd already made her decision.

And now it was all down to waiting.

After explaining herself to those that met her upon her arrival, they'd gone to fetch Robb and Greatjon, since she'd brought up both names as references. She wasn't sure if Robb would recognise her since it had been a while since they spoke, but Greatjon surely would. She was sure of it.

Until they arrived though, she was kept away from everyone else, with two men watching her. She didn't expect anything less, considering who she was, and which family she belonged to. She was more than okay with two watchful eyes. If anything, it made a better impression on Otto. Robb was doing well with commanding an army, for his age. And Otto hoped to contribute to that.

JAIME LANNISTER

Conversations with his father were not always something Jaime looked forward to.

Regardless, when it came to battle, Jaime went wherever he was required to go, and this time, according to his father, it was to the Riverlands. He was a great swordsman, there was no doubt about that in anyone, not even himself. But he was slowly beginning to wonder if his attitude about things was what allowed someone from his camp to go missing right under his nose.

And not just any man from his camp. His niece. Jaime never doubted her ability to hold her own in a fight, even if she rarely beat him while they sparred, but to wake up and have someone inform him not only that Otto was gone, but that she was also seen near Robb Stark's camp... none of it sat well with him.

Jaime spent most of his morning figuring out his battle plan. Well, the plan was already decided upon, long before the camp stopped outside of Riverrun. It was all down to a few last minute decisions, but right now, Jaime was blinded. He didn't stop to wonder what the reason was behind Otto's presence in Robb's camp. All it looked like to him was bad news, and after his father went off on him about sparing Ned Stark back in King's Landing, Jaime knew he couldn't make the same mistake twice.

Especially not when he was certain that Otto was being held against her will.

An attack had to happen, and it had to happen sooner than he initially planned. He was confident that they wouldn't see it coming, and it wasn't like Jaime was going to listen to any other suggestions that came his way anyway. Robb was likely expecting some sort of negotiation. It made sense, considering the state of things in King's Landing. A life for a life. But Jaime didn't like to be forced into a situation like that, and especially not by his opponent. He was going to take what he wanted.

Jaime made up his mind quickly after receiving the news about Otto, and he'd already called for his men to prepare themselves to lay siege to Riverrun. He would have two victories today. Jaime would take the seat of House Tully, and he would get his niece back.

And, unfortunately for him, he was sure there would be no consequences from an attack planned in a hurry.

 

[Lucyfer]

The news of Ottoline Lannister’s arrival had scorched through the camp. Robb Stark almost felt like the last to know, though he knew that was not the case. It seemed as soon as the message slipped the lips of the messenger, his camp was invaded by Catelyn Stark, Roose Bolton, Rickard Karstark, and Jon Umber, each of them with different opinions on the matter.

These were opinions he humored, as Lady Mormont also came to join them, and weigh in on the situation, while the young girl was being held – and young girl was how Lady Catelyn saw her, even if she was also a warrior. That was how Lady Mormont and Lord Greatjon saw her, while Rickard Karstark and Roose Bolton foresaw a trap in the making.

“The Lannister camp must be close,” Lord Bolton had said, his quiet voice stilling the room for a moment, “For her to venture off with no alarm or spy hearing of it before now, they cannot be more than a day’s ride,” his steel eyes met Robb’s own set of blue ones. Each time, Robb couldn’t help but think he should be glad that Lord Bolton was on his side; there was something about the older man that still unnerved him and threatened to chill him to his core. “We need to send out scouts, no matter what we do with her, Lord Stark.”

Lord Stark, although Robb had started to hear whispers of ‘King in the North’.

Robb nodded his consent to it, “See it done, Lord Bolton. Send out your hunters and hounds and find out where the Lannister camp is.”

Lord Bolton nodded. He did not wait for further answer about what was to be done with the girl – that was not what mattered in the moment, when they could fall upon attack only too soon.

Grey Wind rose at Robb’s side, and the wolf tilted his giant head up to look towards Robb, questioning in his way if he should go. Robb hadn’t questioned why he was so certain of what Grey Wind thought, nor would he begin to. He and the direwolf had bonded, but he shook his head. “No, stay here, Grey Wind,” he said, and the wolf settled back down, resting his head over his crossed paws.

“Robb,” Catelyn spoke to him, her voice a plea, “She is just a girl, and a girl dear to the Lannisters. We should not mistreat her, whatever we do.”

Robb almost looked offended, blue eyes sparking under the curls that stuck to his forehead, “I wouldn’t—”

“She’s our enemy,” Rickard stated, “Age and gender don’t matter – take a look at any of Lady Mormont’s daughters! She’s armed. She’s here to start trouble, I’m certain o’it.”

Robb let out a frustrated sigh, pushing back some of those curls, wishing they’d stay off of his forehead. Before he could address Karstark, Lady Mormont added, “She is armed, aye. And likely from a Lannister camp close to us. These are reasons for concern, but more concerning is she is here alone, and the Greatjon knows her well. She’s spent time with us. She may understand what is going on is wrong, and be here to help. We could use that help.”

“Or it may be a trap! Lord Tywin is legendary for those,” Rickard stated.

“Perhaps,” Robb could not deny the possibility, “but we’ll get nowhere in here,” he noted, “Lord Umber, you’ll stay with me. Lady Mormont, go and see her here.”

The others, not included, were thus quietly dismissed.

Lady Maege Mormont would be the figure to make her appearance before the young Ottoline Lannister, a broad woman of brown and gray hair, decked out in furs and armor, with her own sword at her side. The guards parted to let her between them, “Lady Lannister,” Maege greeted, offering her hand, “Lady Mormont of Bear Island. Lord Stark and Lord Umber will see you, I’ll take you to their tent.” Robb’s tent, but Lord Umber was staying within to see her, and assess the situation, provide what information he had on the young woman.

~***~

“This is stupid.”

Lachlan Hetherspoon was complaining as he was helped into his armor by his cousin, the camp medic, Mia Reyne. Not that even he knew she was a Reyne – gods no – he knew the red-headed woman who was so unlike the rest of his family as the bastard Hill, despite being legitimized. He held her no ill will for it, she did not pick her birth, but it certainly seemed to explain some things.

Like her red hair, and her green eyes, compared to his brown everything. Even his skin held a tan from long hours in the sun, while hers seemed to threaten to burn. There were some pink spots, but the worst was maintained through wearing layers over her flesh while they traveled. It was moving about the camp that she got lax.

“He doesn’t have a plan, he’s relying entirely on surprise,” Lachlan grumbled as the last buckle was done, “It’s not going to be enough.”

Mia met his gaze and held it, momentarily rendering him silent, “If you do not believe it will work, then it will not work. You’ve already been defeated.” She clapped a hand on his shoulder, and moved around, “Try and be positive…or start looking for ways to flee.”

“I couldn’t flee,” he sighed, letting himself be led to his horse with the rest of the Knights of the Fern Valley, “Gods only know what would happen to you if I did.” Going AWOL would just lead to troubles for his family. Lord Tywin was not the kindest man, even if he paid well. They would all, certainly, be rich if they were able to rescue Ottoline and defeat Robb Stark here. A bonus for their services was certain. “Just try to stay safe. If we lose, they’ll come here.”

Mia smiled, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

She wanted to make a quip of nine lives, but she kept that to herself. She stepped back as Lachlan mounted up his destrier, and she offered up his helmet then, which he took, and slid on over his head. “I still have Deluge if anything goes wrong,” she reminded.

He chuckled, “Fastest horse in the west,” he murmured. She’d bragged about it enough, and he hadn’t yet seen a horse that could outrace it. At least, not in the west – though the fact it was a sand steed was likely the entire reason it was so quick. “You’re going to make ol’ Peony here feel bad,” he said as he put a hand to the neck of his beige horse.

Mia reached out to touch her nose as well, “It’s meant no harm; I know my Deluge can’t kick quite as hard as Peony,” she agreed with a light laugh, before stepping back again. “Take care, Lachlan.”

He nodded, “Take care, Lia,” and with that, he turned his horse to the others, letting her move back to the camp, to her medical tent, where she’d need to begin the process of working on more salves and balms for the wounded. She had to act as if she had faith in Jaime’s mad plan. She had to believe they would return, victorious, or at least in retreat – the alternative of the camp being overcome by Northern raiders was a horrific one, otherwise.

She’d heard enough stories of what some in the North still practiced.

She reached one hand up to place over a necklace, hidden by the cloth of her green dress. She didn’t draw it out, but touching it, feeling that it was still there, was reassuring. The silver signet ring remained with her, not the Hetherspoon sigil, but another.

Reyne.

 

[christy]

JAIME LANNISTER

It didn't take very long to have everyone gathered. Jaime had long since realised that once the word got out that they needed to go off into battle, most men — warriors, at least — got enthusiastic. They wanted to fight, and they wanted to win, because coming back victorious meant coming back to riches, or something equivalent to that. Killing the right people, while creating enemies, also created a life of wealth and praise.

While Jaime adored both wealth and praise, his priority at the moment was retrieving Otto. That was the only reason he was attacking now, and not later like he had initially planned. Losing a majority of his army would still not amount to how bad things would be if he allowed a Lannister to be taken hostage by the North — or worse, to be killed by Robb Stark or one of his men. But Jaime didn't want to entertain that idea at all.

To Jaime it felt like forever, even if he knew where he was going. He rode fast, and he rode with determination, because he only saw one possible outcome to this whole situation. He couldn't bear to think that it could end any other way. It would cause all kinds of problems if he went back at a loss — and that was even considering he'd be able to go back to declare the loss. Jaime highly doubted they'd let someone like him get away. Not with the state of things, or this war wouldn't have begun.

In the distance, Jaime eventually spotted the banners. He spotted people, soldiers, and he assumed they were prepping. They would have been alerted about the oncoming army, but even so, it would be too late. They were already quite close.

The idea of catching them off guard made Jaime feel more confident as he urged his men to continue forth and to have no mercy. Showing mercy was not a luxury they could afford, at the moment. There was too much at stake.

And Jaime wasted no time when he neared the camp. He wasn't here to negotiate. He was here to win. And while he was focused on trying to take people out of his way, his eyes also scanned the area for one familiar face.

One particular face.

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto continued to wait for what felt like forever, till eventually, a woman came before her. The face was vaguely familiar. In all her time spent living with Greatjon, Otto familiarised herself with many Northern Lords and Ladies, though she hadn't met them all, and she hadn't met most more than once or twice. She'd been young, so a lot of faces faded away over the years.

Regardless, Otto tried to identify who she was by looking over her attire and her sword, but before she had the chance to guess, the woman greeted her and introduced herself. "Lady Mormont," Otto greeted in return with a brief smile. She only offered that friendly gesture because she believed Lady Mormont didn't see her as a bad person. At least, not completely. Not yet. The shaking of hands was the gesture that gave it away, but Otto wasn't going to jump to conclusions just yet.

In any case, it was Robb's opinion that mattered, ultimately. She had to prove to him that she was here to help, and not as a spy to throw a wrench in his plans.

"Thank you," Otto added on once it became clear that she was finally getting to see Robb. She followed behind the older woman, keeping careful and alert. The last thing she wanted was to be jumped, and while she knew it wasn't likely, she wanted to remain cautious. She was a Lannister. Her family had caused all kinds of trouble for the Starks recently, so she wouldn't blame anyone here if they believed she was just like them and only here to cause more trouble.

Otto thought to ask Lady Mormont something as they walked to Robb's tent, but her mind was elsewhere. She was wondering how this would play out. She knew for a fact that Greatjon would vouch for her, given how long she spent living with the Umbers, and how much she'd learned from them, but at a time like this, it made sense for even him to be wary of her. She would only know once she stepped into that tent.

That moment, however, never came. At least, not now. Instead, Otto was alerted by some kind of commotion. Because her mind had been elsewhere, Otto didn't notice the initial signs. Signs of an oncoming battle. An attack. It was only when Otto noticed Jaime's men approaching in the distance that she realised what was happening, and she immediately drew her sword.

Otto knew that if it came down to it in the future, she'd have to harm people from her uncle's vanguard. She accepted it as well, but it wasn't something she expected she'd have to deal with so soon after leaving her camp.

But if her fighting against her own people didn't prove what she'd come here for, she didn't know what would.

 

[Lucyfer]

Quiet words passed between Robb Stark and the Greatjon as they waited, but the one they were waiting for did not arrive. Instead, to Robb’s own surprise, Roose came in looking hurried, though his voice remained calm, “My lord,” he inclined his head slightly, “Lannister troops are already en route; they will be here within minutes.”

Lord Stark’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t ask again or question Lord Bolton’s statement. “Get the word out, immediately.” Grey Wind was already on his feet, and Robb looked to the Greatjon as Roose bowed and left to see to just that. “See Ottoline to safety,” he needed to be a part of the attack first; the Greatjon could handle this.

In all likelihood, Maege Mormont could handle it, but Robb would leave the Greatjon to handle it as he strode out of the tent to his more personal one, hoping to find time to strap on a few more bits of armor.

There wasn’t such time.

He heard the call go up, and just grabbed his sword as Grey Wind bounded ahead and moved through the trees to encircle and close around the arriving Lannisters, the sound of the hooves of horses alerting everyone to the attack, if the shouting and clang of metal hadn’t already. ‘Just a charge?’ He expected to hear the twang of arrows, or even to smell smoke, but neither of these things invaded his senses, nor his sight, as he drew out of his tent with his sword.

There was plenty of red, though.

And one foolhardy soldier who came rushing ahead of the others to be a hero. Grey Wind made short work of him before he ever got within striking range of Robb, jumping out from his shelter amongst the trees and tackling the horse with its rider to the ground. The horse’s throat was ripped out as the rider let out a pained cry – the crack signifying his leg broke in the fall.

Robb finished him off with a downward slash, and then urged Grey Wind ahead as he went to meet the Lannister soldiers, ducking under high blows from those on horseback and making short work of their mounts, terribly unprotected as they were. Their numbers were significantly smaller, and Roose had left the camp on alert when he went to send scouts.

Thankfully, that was exactly what they needed.

Robb could make out the Greatjon along Maege Mormont ahead – and another girl he couldn’t recognize, but could guess based on a glint of gold. ‘Ottoline Lannister.’

With a sword out.

His own hand gripped his sword tighter, wondering if she was going to swing at Maege or the Greatjon.

Instead, he couldn’t help but be awed as he saw her strike down a man in red armor – a Lannister soldier.

Before he heard Rickard cry out the name of one of his sons, and he whipped his attention over to see a brunette guard on a beige mare push fall off his horse. He barely managed to avoid being trampled by the other horses around, before Rickard was on him and had put his sword through the soldier’s head. Robb moved to join him, concerned as he saw the glint of gold armor in the sun, that Rickard might make a grave error in his sorrow, and his rage.

Robb had an idea of who was in the golden armor. After all, plenty of people were moving in that direction – both those in red, and those in furs.

The numbers of the Lannister army were depleting significantly, and they were rallying back to their leader.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

The Lannister troops began to flood into the camp, and while Robb's men were taken off guard, something told Otto that they'd still have no problem taking down Jaime, or driving him away. Otto also knew, however, that nothing would drive Jaime himself away. He had too much pride, and he'd come here without a plan. She knew this because she'd been privy to his plans before leaving the camp. This wasn't how he planned to strike, nor when he planned to strike. No, this was because of her. He thought she was being held here against her will.

Nevertheless, once Otto's sword had been drawn, she didn't hesitate to knock down soldiers off their horses when they came too close to Lady Mormont. Seeing as how Otto was with her at the moment, it made sense that many would rally toward them.

Otto had just knocked down a Lannister soldier when Greatjon arrived, sword gleaming in the sunlight, so he could join in on what he otherwise might have referred to as festivities. This could go sideways any second, however, and Otto didn't want to let her guard down, or have too much confidence. Now wasn't the time for speaking either.

She left Lady Mormont and the Greatjon to handle the remaining Lannister soldiers that came their way, while she looked out for her uncle. It didn't take her very long to find him and that familiar glimmer of gold. He had his sword out and he was quite occupied. Of course, whichever soldier managed to subdue Jaime Lannister would experience a life of riches and a sparkling promotion in the ranks. But Otto knew her uncle, and she knew his skill. Even when it became apparent that his troops were reducing in number, he kept going, and it became clear to Otto what she had to do. She had to face him. Even if that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Otto weaved through the crowd of fighting soldiers, occasionally helping out when she could, till she neared Jaime and came to a halt right in front of his horse.

JAIME LANNISTER

At first, Jaime felt good about the battle. They rode in with a ferocity that could never be rivalled by wolves. He was a lion. He was going to get what he came for.

Jaime's sword was out before he'd even made it to camp, and he swung it left and right to incapacitate anyone who dared to come in his way. His men were doing good so far, but Robb's men were equally good, it seemed, once they recovered over the initial shock of a surprise attack and began to fight back. Still, this didn't slow Jaime down. No, he only began to sense something was wrong when, after a few moments, he noticed many of those in red retreating.

Jaime, blinded by only the opponents he'd been facing and not what his men had been up to, hadn't noticed that they were outnumbered, and at the moment, too many of his men had fallen. Too many for this to end in his victory.

Jaime was still not convinced to leave. Not till he could spot Otto. She was a warrior — surely she would do something to get out and join the fight. To help her family.

And just as Jaime thought of her, she appeared. He spotted her running toward him, and he felt a little hope again. There was a large man lumbering after her, whom Jaime didn't recognise immediately because he wasn't paying much attention. He was still getting rid of people around him because even if it came to a retreat, he could go back with Otto. That was still a victory.

The dark haired Lannister soon came to a stop in front of his steed. "Otto—" Jaime opened his mouth to say something, but in his moment of distraction upon seeing her, Greatjon Umber, who'd been the one trailing behind Otto, took the opportunity to incapacitate Jaime, swiping out at his horse and sending Jaime to the floor.

Part of Jaime was thinking to get up and at least see if Otto made it to safety, but all he saw when he looked up was her looking down on him, sword in hand. It wasn't aimed at him, but it quickly became clear what was going on.

And laying there, on the floor, with hardly any men left from his vanguard, Jaime realised that this time around, he'd lost.

 

[Lucyfer]

Robb Stark reached the space where Jaime Lannister had been gradually surrounded as the gilded man hit the ground. The Greatjon had done it, but Rickard was incensed. Robb barely had time to grab the other man’s arm and yank him back away from Jaime before he could kill the kingslayer where he was. Maege was the one to clap a large hand over Rickard’s shoulder and pull him further back as he raged, “HE KILLED MY SON!” Rickard cried.

Jaime had likely killed a good number of sons that day, but down in the dirt, alive, he was far more useful to them than dead.

Grey Wind stepped into the forming circle, his menacing growl reverberating through the area. They wouldn’t have many hostages from among the fighters, but they would have Jaime Lannister. Robb’s gaze cut briefly towards Lord Umber, and near him, Lady Ottoline Lannister. She had fought with them, and even before her uncle she was mute and unapologetic.

It was a shame they couldn’t have spoken before this mess arose, but they would have a chance shortly.

Robb looked back down at Jaime. “Yield, or you will be made to yield.” It was a demand that he surrender himself, rather than force one of them to approach and knock him out, or otherwise wrestle him into submission. Robb would see it done himself it was necessary…with a bit of help from Grey Wind, who still menaced the field, drawing ever nearer to Jaime with his loping strides around. Jaime Lannister was not a man to be underestimated, and this was not a war where honor could enter into every engagement, no matter how much he wanted to.

Jaime had hardly been honorable in attacking his father on the streets and killing his men. He was lucky to be given the chance to surrender, and not killed. It was his name that saved him, more than anything. Jaime wasn’t worth much to anyone except for Lord Tywin – and perhaps, Lady Ottoline.

That would certainly all be discussed.

One of the Bolton men stepped into the circle, shackles and rope already prepared to see Jaime bound and led away. Robb wanted to ask where Roose was, but he had some idea; they still had to move to make work of Jaime’s camp, before too many could get away with the supplies, or with news to Tywin.

Robb would rather have a messenger of his own deliver the news to Tywin Lannister, instead of an escaped individual. Roose’s initiative may be a thing to discuss with the man later, but for now, Robb would let it slide. Some initiative in a commander was a good thing.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE & JAIME LANNISTER

The fact that he was down on the ground and surrounded by Robb Stark's men was still being processed in Jaime's mind. This wasn't at all an outcome he thought of. He didn't bother considering it because this was the absolute worse thing that could happen. Even if he didn't win the battle, he assumed he'd have a moment to retreat and inform his father about the state of things.

Instead, his father would now get word that Jaime had been taken hostage, and to top it all off, a young Lannister had played a role in it all. Jaime might have been proud of his niece's tactics, had he not been staring at the pointed end of a number of swords, at the moment. Well, swords and one devastated Lord, eager for revenge.

Otto pried her gaze away from her uncle when Robb Stark finally neared the gathering. Otto didn't know what they planned to do with Jaime, but if it was ultimately decided that he should be killed, she would step in. She didn't want to go back to the Lannisters, by any means, but she also couldn't watch her uncle die. He only rushed through with a strike because of her absence in the camp. And she knew things would only get harder in the future, with her on the other side of the war, but she'd deal with things as they came. In any case, she knew Jaime was much more valuable alive than dead. Hell, this war could even come to a quick end because of it, and there would hopefully be not as much bloodshed.

Otto stayed silent when Robb addressed Jaime, and he made note of this. "I will admit," Jaime said to his niece, ignoring Robb initially. "I never thought all those sparring sessions would amount to this. I can't say if I'm proud or appalled."

When Otto failed to respond, Jaime turned his gaze on Robb. He knew they weren't going to kill him, even if there were many that would kill to see his head on a spike. He was a bargaining chip, which was the only reason he had the audacity to smile. "I suppose my answer is quite clear." Jaime's sword was already on the floor, and he was down on his knees. There was no other option but to surrender. Most of his men were gone anyway, and those that fled back to camp... well, Jaime didn't doubt that they'd be found soon too. Robb was young, but it became clear to Jaime that he was no idiot.

One of Robb's men stepped forward, prepared to tow Jaime away, and he was able to do so without much of a struggle because Jaime knew that he was grossly outnumbered. So Jaime just allowed himself to be led away, presumably to a cell, while Otto remained where she was, barely sparing a glance toward her uncle. She would speak to him later.

For now, she turned to Robb. "It's good to see you again, Lord Stark. Even given the circumstances."

 

[Lucyfer]

Jaime Lannister’s smugness was hardly doing him any credit. The smile and easy comment wasn’t soon to win him any allies, and Robb gestured the man forward to bind the knight and remove him from sight, all while Grey Wind stayed close to see that it was done without Jaime attempting any tricks. Perhaps he wasn’t known for the same cleverness as his father, or even his House, but Robb was not going to take any chances.

When he was brought up to his feet, and carted away with Grey Wind following, Robb allowed his attention to drift to Ottoline as she addressed him. He recalled her in passing, but not well. He’d not spent much time among the Umbers, nor did they have much reason to come to Winterfell before the war.

Now, of course, he was getting to know all his bannermen quite well.

The sentiment rang true in any case. “And good to see you, Lady Lannister, though I wish the circumstances were better,” by all the gods, that felt weird to say, particularly given the situation they were in where she’d helped to see her uncle’s army down. Still, he could see the golden lions on her, and it was her name.

Not all Lannisters were the same. He knew he should not judge her for the crimes of Joffrey, or Jaime, or any of the others, for that matter. She hadn’t tried to kill his brother Bran in his sleep, nor had she struck his father in the streets. “It seems we have much to discuss,” as the camp would settle, and prepare for more prisoners. The Lannister camp was not likely to put up much of a fight. He doubted too many had been left behind. “Lord Umber, we’ll return to my tent. My lady, please join us.”

There was much need to discuss what had happened here, what she was doing here, and much else besides.

With agreement from both, Robb would take the lead to return to his tent. Jaime’s attack had mussed things up a bit, but not greatly. Certainly, not as greatly as he had hoped. Robb did not need to tend to the wounded or dying, though he would gather information on numbers later.

Right now, figuring out why Ottoline was here, was more important.

~***~

Sometime after Lord Stark’s camp had settled, those few who escaped the fray were returning to the Lannister camp and shouting orders to retreat, to gather up all they could and flee. Mia Reyne stepped out of her tent to take in the hurried situation, looking for a familiar face, a familiar horse, but no such thing crossed her vision.

Arrows came into her vision instead, striking down some of those still astride horses.

She didn’t flinch as some fell, and others simply urged their beasts on, deciding to continue their flight rather than deal with the arrows.

‘Too late.’ Mia considered her options. If she attempted to flee, it would take too long to get Deluge ready. She, and Deluge, were likely to end up harmed or worse. If she surrendered, they’d likely take both of them hostage. She didn’t know if she’d find a way back to her horse, but that was the least of her concerns.

Mia stepped back into her tent, and began to seal a tin closed.

Again, she touched her necklace, before she lifted it over her neck. She took a small blade.

She placed the necklace into one boot. It would be uncomfortable, but it was better than having it ripped off her neck, or worse.

The blade was also slid into the back of one boot. She felt her odds were good of sneaking in a blade that way. If she cooperated, they were less likely to question or search her.

She briefly considered trying to smuggle a poison, but opted against that as a dog came sniffing around her tent, and then let out a howl, before moving through the flap, a growl caught low in its throat.

Mia looked to it, then looked off to the left of the beast, and took a seat, calming herself. The beast seemed trained to hunt. If she didn’t move….

“What have you here, mutt?” A hunter bearing the Bolton sigil stepped in after the hound, and let out a short laugh of surprise as his eyes fell on her. “Well well! This is quite the treasure to find indeed.”

She wouldn’t comment on that, and she only moved when he came forward and grabbed one of her wrists roughly and pulled her to her feet. She didn’t stumble, even if her heel struck the ring. It hurt. At least the blade was flat and didn’t hurt. “What’s your name then, dear?”

She didn’t answer, just gave him a cold look. “Going to be that way…,” he almost sounded regretful.

She didn’t anticipate the strike, and that did cause her to stumble, as the dog started to bark, apparently just as startled by her own movement. “Your name – or I suppose I can just assume you’re smallfolk.” The implication was there, and Mia swallowed down some of her rage at it, at the strike.

“Lady Amalia Hetherspoon,” she spoke, straightening back up and glaring at him now.

“Thought you had to be a lady with that attitude,” he snorted, and then pushed her towards the tent flap, “We’ll get you nice and cozy with some northern hospitality here soon, my lady.” He mocked, apparently too stupid to realize the bounty of medicine he was leaving behind.

Someone else would see it.

Lady Reyne would face her fate of bindings with the few others of the camp who hadn’t run or attempted to fight, mostly washer-women or cooks for the camp.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Robb was right. They had much to discuss. She could only imagine his curiosity, given that she was a Lannister turning against her family. Maybe it was partly due to sentiment, for the way she was raised, but she also believed there was a right side and a wrong side. The Lannisters usually fell among the latter, even if they often came out of battle victorious. This was not one of those times, unfortunately for them.

Nodding as Robb gestured for her to follow him and the Greatjon to his tent, Otto sheathed her sword and ignored the passing looks she got as she walked. She knew that wasn't going to go away. Not for a while at least. Otto also noticed that Robb's mother wasn't present at the moment. She knew she had to be around, and part of her was curious as to what her stance was on Otto's arrival, and further what it might be when she heard that Otto planned to stay with them and help.

For now, it was mainly up to explaining herself to Robb though, and she felt like she could freely do that once they were in his tent. Otto let her gaze wander for only a moment before she looked to Robb once more.

Greatjon was the first to speak. "Have they not been feedin' ya up at the Keep? You look as small as you were when you left the North."

At that remark, Otto couldn't help but smile just a little. Even if she had to dive into battle before getting to have a proper conversation with Lord Umber, it was good to finally be able to speak with him after so long. He'd taught her quite a bit, after all.

"Just been practising what you taught me," she replied to him before looking to Robb. "I know my presence here is... confusing, at the very least," Otto told him. "And I know you probably have a few questions. As for why I'm here, I'll keep it simple. I want to fight for you."

JAIME LANNISTER

Jaime had been taken to the edge of the camp, and tossed into a makeshift cell. Two guards were positioned outside at all times, no doubt to ensure he didn't try anything funny, but it wasn't like he could do much when his hands were tied to a post. It wasn't the most comfortable setting but he wasn't in a position to make demands. Especially not when he made that ill-planned attack.

The whole thing had backfired, and Jaime was considering all his options. The most obvious one would be to wait for his father to make arrangements or deals to get him out and back home, which could hardly be called a victory. That route wasn't particularly the best one, as far as his relationship with his father went. Jaime had messed up, but he'd never really been the type to actually hold himself responsible for the negative impact of his actions. This time, that wasn't really an option.

Jaime briefly considered challenging Robb. He knew he could easily take him on in a duel, and he could get himself back, in which case, Robb's army would be left without a bargaining chip. That was definitely the most ideal scenario, but also the one least likely to take place. Jaime knew that Robb knew better than to accept such a challenge. In a way, Jaime respected that Robb could admit to not being good enough to defeat Jaime in combat. Alone, at least.

It didn't seem like there were many other options left, unless Jaime could make a few promises. Catelyn Stark, with her motherly instincts, was at the top of his list of people he wished to speak to. Otto was a close second, mainly because he still had a lot of questions. And the questions just kept coming, since he was in a cell all alone, with plenty of time to just think.

Eventually though, the cell started to fill up. Guards began to bring others in, people from his camp.

It didn't take Jaime more than a second to realise that Robb's men had finally raided his camp, and now they were bringing back their haul.

 

[Lucyfer]

Robb’s mind was distracted with actions that would need to be taken next, with people he would need to discuss Jaime with. He was a bargaining chip, of course – and a useful one at that, so he couldn’t be squandered, but he was also a danger. Still, he caught the conversation that Lord Umber and Ottoline engaged in, casting his blue eyes their way as he recognized they were speaking.

It was nothing immediately important, but warm, familial.

They had not yet entered the tent before Ottoline spoke to him, addressing the matter at hand – her presence. Her words were simple, to the point, and a faint smile touched his lips, “Aye, I gathered that much,” he agreed, “I’m afraid it isn’t quite so simple,” he said, for he knew a good spy would work to gain trust to infiltrate their ranks.

It was entirely possible she was there on Tywin Lannister’s behalf, without Jaime being any wiser. Possible this was somehow a set-up still, but even if it was not, it was a matter to be talked out a bit more than just that. He needed to understand why she was there, and why she would turn on her blood.

Kinslaying remained a significant sin in the North. He thought it was just as significant in the South, given how Tyrion Lannister remained alive when everyone knew Tywin bore him no love. What Ottoline was considering, in joining them, was just that, even if her hand would not be the one to put an end to her family members. He wasn’t sure the Gods were any kinder.

He pulled the flap of his tent up to let the others in first, and there spied his mother. No doubt she’d rushed back in when the fighting began, and she moved as she saw him, ignoring the Greatjon and Ottoline to pull him into an embrace. He could explain the fight away, or fuss over her worrying, but he didn’t. He dropped the flap and wrapped his arms around her.

“How did it go?”

“Fine,” he answered, pulling away so he could be held at arm’s length, “We were prepared enough,” he added, and then stepped back, “Lady Lannister, this is my mother, Lady Catelyn Stark.”

Her eyes assessed Otto, the same Tully blue roved over the other woman, assessing her as one might assess a cow or other creature, before lifting to the Greatjon, “Well, she does seem to take after you, even if she is called Lannister.” It was, perhaps, as close to a compliment as might slip Catelyn’s lips, given the situation with the Lannisters, and her daughters.

At least Ottoline didn’t have the offensive golden hair.

~***~

The only saving grace of all of this, was that Mia Reyne got to ride back on Deluge to Robb’s camp. Her hands were bound, and someone sat behind her, but it was still a better option than another horse. They had also figured out the medical supplies in the tent and raided those, not that it would do her much good.

She could still taste dried blood on her lip from the strike, and her cheek still stung. A small wound, but one she wouldn’t be forgetting. She’d etched the man’s face in her memory.

When they returned to the camp, the prisoners were divided up. There weren’t a great many cells, Robb Stark hadn’t been prepared for such a thing. In spite of that, Mia was still surprised to find herself taken to a cell not with other women, but with Ser Jaime Lannister, who was otherwise alone.

“The cell can hold another, right?” The one holding her arms asked the one at the gate.

“This is for Jaime Lannister,”

“And this is apparently Lady Hetherspoon – we could stick her with the others, but she might be worth a ransom, too. Seemed to have a lot of the medical supplies in her tent,” so she knew what she was doing, in theory. “Probably worth something to someone.” Maybe not Tywin, but someone with gold. Everyone in the West had gold, right?

The guard sighed, “Fine, and he opened the gate, letting the guard bring her in. She couldn’t help but offer Jaime a scathing glare before she was forced to sit on the opposite side of the pole so her back was to him, and his was to hers. Her hands were bound to the pole above his own hands, before they left her alone, the gate closing once more.

She waited only a few moments, before speaking, “Lachlan Hetherspoon?” She meant it as a question of his status, if Jaime was even aware of who the foolish knight was. If she wasn’t thrown in with him, she had an idea of what that meant.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto knew it wouldn't be as simple as that. For any Northern soldier to go ahead and do so would be accepted into the ranks quite easily, and quickly, but she was a Lannister. So whatever her true intentions, a leader had to be cautious. Robb Stark had to be cautious, and she respected him for thinking that way. He was a good leader. And she truly believed he could win this war.

"I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of sneaking off in the night if I was looking for simple, my Lord," Otto told him in response just before they entered his tent.

Upon going inside, Otto came face to face with a familiar face. She hadn't met Catelyn Stark in the flesh before, though her husband she had met a couple of times, both in the North as well as while she spent some time in the Keep, recently.

Otto didn't speak at first, to allow the woman to assess her. She couldn't tell what Catelyn was thinking about her, but when she finally spoke, Otto cracked a small smile. She didn't go straight for a greeting — she didn't say it was nice to meet her, because the truth was, given the circumstances, it wasn't nice to meet her. She would have preferred to have had this encounter when they weren't on the brink of war, with her daughters more or less being held hostage in King's Landing. Otto wouldn't disrespect her like that.

"I know it won't change much but I'm sorry for the state of things," she told the woman first. "And I wish I was here to say that on behalf of my family, but that's far from the truth because I doubt they'd ever be apologetic about any of this, no matter the outcome at the end of all of this." They were lions. They had too much pride.

Otto then looked to Robb. "I know my being here complicates things, at the very least, and I don't expect to be trusted immediately. I would begin to doubt your judgement if you did," Otto said with a small smile. "But I'm ready to answer whatever questions you may have, and I'm here to help in any way I can, to prove that I'm on your side. The right side."

JAIME LANNISTER

Jaime looked up as a the door to his cell opened up and a woman was brought inside. Before he decided whether he knew her or not, he noticed the glare she gave him. His response was to arch an eyebrow, initially unsure as to what he had done to receive such a reaction, till he realised that it was because of his poor planning. The planning that had gotten him in this mess.

Once he got over that, he realised he recognised her, vaguely. He'd seen her around a couple of times, but not enough to know her name. Not till he realised she was a Hetherspoon, which only came about when she looked to him and asked about one of his soldiers.

Jaime knew Lachlan. He wouldn't say they were friends, but they'd spoken, briefly, a couple of times. Jaime wasn't the type to get to know all of his men, but he was glad he knew this one, or he felt like a scathing glare wasn't the worse he might have to suffer from, sitting in a cell with this woman.

"Saw him when we rode in to battle," Jaime answered. "I'm afraid I haven't seen him since then, however. It was a little hard to do that on the ground with a bunch of swords pointed at my head." He supposed he could have noticed earlier, who had fallen and who had gotten away, but he'd been a little occupied. He'd been taken aback by the sight of his niece clearly opposing him. He didn't feel like mentioning that part though. Not yet.

Jaime looked the woman over briefly. "Lady Amalia Hetherspoon," he deduced, based on what knowledge he had. If there were nobles in his vanguard, he made it a habit to know at least them. Never know when that might come in handy. "Medic, right?" He asked, adjusting his position a little since his arms were beginning to ache. "I don't suppose you managed to smuggle in a few supplies, did you? Rope really bites into the skin," Jaime shook his wrists a bit, for emphasis.

He realised he probably wasn't going about with conversation the right way, since she clearly wasn't happy to be here, and without knowing whether Lachlan was alive or dead, but Jaime couldn't really help it.

 

[Lucyfer]

Catelyn’s patient expression soured slightly at the following words of apology from Ottoline. She knew the lady meant well, but she was right – it didn’t change things, “I don’t need your excuses for your family,” her words were a bit curt, harsh, and Robb passed her a quick glance. She ignored it. She was hardly going to be told what to do by her young son in these matters.

Even if he was her eldest, and leading an army.

“Nonetheless, if you are here to support us, we appreciate that, and we will see by your actions,” she gave a nod to Robb, “I will see to the situation in the camp,” the wounded, the dying, the numbers, and food. She had run a household at Winterfell, she could maintain a war camp just as well.

Robb offered her a dismissive nod, not without warmth, but without a smile, as he let his attention return to Ottoline and what she had to say. Catelyn was right, and Otto knew it just as well. Actions would speak louder than words. “You’ve done a fair bit to show the side you’re on already,” Robb allowed, as he moved back around to the table that was set up in the tent, pieces laid out, plans that had been half-constructed written in the lay of the pieces over a map.

With Jaime’s vanguard out of the way, they’d adjust plans. “I do need to know why you’re here. Why you think this is the right side, and why it’s worth going against your family?” He said, looking up from the map to meet her gaze once more.

Grey Wind crept in then, a silent presence that crept along the left of the tent and around to Robb’s side. He moved a hand to rest over the direwolf’s head as he came alongside Robb.

“I don’t know how things are in the South, but in the North, going against one’s family is a dire crime.” Even if said family was wrong. The old gods didn’t approve of it in the least, and they were bound up by the ties of faith almost as much as by the ties of man’s laws. Perhaps more. Though Robb himself was raised in two faiths, he still felt those ties run deep.

His mother’s words didn’t help matters, and her own fierce loyalty. As much a wolf as any of them.

~***~

Mia Reyne did not know Jaime well, but she knew enough to be certain it would not be a quiet stay. Jaime Lannister wasn’t known for being clever, but he was known for being strangely charming for a man who belonged to the King’s Guard, and part of that was his attitude and mannerisms. If she wasn’t so annoyed, she might have even found his comments endearing, given the situation.

They needed to stay positive. That, she knew, but she could only imagine Lachlan dead somewhere in the dirt. He wasn’t noble enough to be faced with a ring of swords at his neck, like Jaime Lannister. He may not have been recognized at all, until it was all over and they found some marking of his rank on him.

Still, she couldn’t help but respond with sarcasm to Jaime’s query, “Oh yes, they brought all of my supplies back with them, but I’m afraid I’m going to have a bit of a hard time working with them right now. My hands are in a similar state as yours.”

And rope really did sting. She had heard that, but she hadn’t really known it until now. “I am certain once I have my hands free, I’ll be able to get one of my balms to put around your wrists.” Not true, although she did fully intend to get her hands free, once she had a better idea of camp movement.

She hadn’t put a knife in her shoe for nothing.

Jaime might even be useful for getting out of there.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto stayed silent when Catelyn replied to her. She didn't expect to be treated like a guest, because she wasn't one. Otto knew what she would be in for upon coming though, and she had been willing to come all the same, because she knew which side she belonged to. And it wasn't her family.

Merely nodding as Catelyn took her leave, Otto looked to Robb once more. He had moved around to a table, where she recognised plan layouts, judging by the pieces that sat on top of a map. Otto didn't let her gaze linger on that for too long.

Before Otto got the chance to answer, she noticed Robb's direwolf come in. She'd always loved animals, but something told her this direwolf wouldn't accept affection unless he was sure she was friend and not foe. In any case, befriending a wolf was not at the top of her list of things to do right now. She was simply admiring him for a moment, before she allowed herself to answer Robb.

"I've been a Lannister for seventeen years," Otto began to explain, remaining still where she stood. "And in all those years, I've been privy to a certain kind of lifestyle. While some would have enjoyed living out their days at Casterly rock with a last name like mine, I could never fathom the idea of living with ruthless people."

She knew it made her ruthless out on the battlefield, in a way, but what she was talking about was something else entirely. "We're not all the same. I've never approved of any of Tywin's plans, and my father only sent me to the North years ago to avoid having to deal with the others. Being with Lord Umber..." she faltered briefly as she turned to face the Greatjon for a moment. "It was the first time I truly felt like I had a home. Then I was called back, and then the war broke out and I heard what had happened, and I made my decision. I've always wanted to be a fighter, but I couldn't fight to enforce things I didn't believe in. I won't."

Then there were the consequences. Otto took a breath before diving into those. "I don't know what they'd do to me if they found me, but like I said, I made my decision. I considered all the consequences, and I've accepted them. And so has my father." He was the only one who knew of her plans, and he encouraged her to go through with them anyway, even if he might be held responsible for it all. He wasn't going to sit idle, of course, and he would be prepared. But they were also both prepared for the worst.

JAIME LANNISTER

Admittedly, it was a bit refreshing to speak to a woman who responded to him with sarcasm. He only ever enjoyed it when it came from his brother, and with Cersei... well, it was never sarcasm. It was just being conniving, but at the end of the day, she was still his sister. His twin. Though he wouldn't say they were completely similar.

Jaime cracked a bit of a smile before he tilted his head to get some of his face away from his eyes. "Here's to hoping you get out of those bounds rather soon, then," he said as he leaned back against the wall of the cell. It could hardly be called a cell, really. But this was the best that could be done for an army camp that was constantly moving.

Jaime was sure to keep a lookout as well. Part of him was expecting Robb to come and speak to him. Jaime intended to follow through with his idea of challenging Robb, but he also knew there was a good chance that challenge would never happen. They were all probably still discussing what to do with him. And of course, there was Ottoline, and her presence here helping the current leader of the North. Jaime half expected her to show up too, though he didn't really know what he would say to her. This was the last thing he expected to happen, though he supposed, in hindsight, he should have seen it coming since she spent so much time away from home and in the North.

Getting rather bored of watching the guards, Jaime looked to Amalia again. He regarded her for a moment before he began to speak.

"Don't worry," he told her. "You'll get out of here in no time. I doubt Tybolt Hetherspoon would waste much time in trying to get you back. Word just has to reach him, is all." Jaime himself was waiting for word to reach his father. It meant having to live with his failure, but it also meant he was one step closer to getting out of there. It had only been a while and he was already bored. Fortunately, he had some company, and when there's company, Jaime rarely stayed silent.

 

[Lucyfer]

Robb Stark kept his gaze fixed upon her. It was not a glare, nor quite warm, as he listened to what she had to say, what brought her there. She knew her lifestyle. She knew who she was related to, and what it meant. She claimed to have considered all the outcomes, though Robb wondered if she truly had. ‘Did you consider your father may be killed?’ He did not ask that. He did not ask about other relatives she may love, others that may cause her to pause.

Was Jaime among those? He knew he would need to ask about that relationship, given the man’s sudden, and violent, arrival.

In either case, she appeared to be a strongly opinionated woman, and passionate, willing to stand up for what she believed in spite of what her family considered was right, or good. “I appreciate your passion, Lady Ottoline,” calling her ‘Lady Lannister’ right then seemed out of the question.

Neither of them really needed the reminder.

He let his hand fall away from Grey Wind’s head, and he set it on the table. “I do need to know what your ties are to Ser Jaime, given the situation we find ourselves in. I would also like to know why your father has not come here with you.” He was in danger away, if it ever became apparent that he supported Ottoline’s decision, “If he supports your decision, he should stand with you, as well.”

Perhaps that was saying a bit too much in regards to Tyrek Lannister. Robb hardly knew him, or his position in the West. Most spoke of Kevan or Tywin as the leadership of the Lannister family, and those who could truly make decisions, and changes.

Tyrek may be able to stay under the radar, or fight for Ottoline if it all went south and the North lost. He didn’t know what Tyrek planned to do, or what he hoped for. Perhaps he shouldn’t worry about that, but he did. Ottoline said it herself – the Lannisters were ruthless.

~***~

They lapsed into a brief silence. Mia did not expect it to last long, and she was not surprised when it didn’t. The topic was a slight surprise. She hardly expected Jaime to be reassuring about her return to Lord Tybolt, and she bit her tongue on a cruel joke of how he had such good luck with daughters returning to him alive.

Melara remained a sore spot.

Their guards didn’t presently seem to be paying too much attention, in spite of how much Jaime moved about, but Mia knew better than to say much. A night guard would be better, someone drifting, who would think their quarry was drifting off, too. Or someone already long asleep. “Not all of those in the West are as well off as your family, Ser,” she reminded. Hetherspoon certainly wasn’t among the wealthiest.

Lord Hetherspoon would pay whatever ransom he needed to, but Mia didn’t intend to stick him with that. “You’re more likely to go free before I am, with your family holding multiple Stark hostages.”

Though that depended entirely on how sentimental Robb was. Tywin wouldn’t pull a hair over losing two Stark girls. Even if Robb didn’t bend, Tywin had a long reach – someone in Robb’s camp would get a message.

Someone would value gold and promises of land over honor.

That’s just how people were.

But discussing leaving, or escape, did not seem the best idea. She didn’t need unnecessary attention drawn to that. So, she finally looked over to him, “I don’t suppose you’ve learned what we can expect for dinner while we await our ransoming though, do you?” It wasn’t a good transition, but it was getting late, and the smell of food cooking on the campfires overlaid others.

And she was hungry.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto was glad that for the time being at least, things were going well. They weren't heading south, which was all Otto had hoped for when she abandoned Jaime's camp and rode to Robb's. "Just Otto is fine, my Lord," she added in when he expressed his appreciation for her passion. She was well aware of the formalities with titles, but when it came to her name, she figured it was easier to keep it short. Only Tywin and Cersei refused to shorten her name, and so anyone else using it continuously made her think of them.

Otto nodded when Robb further stated that he would need to know more, in regards to her relationship with Jaime. That was a fair question, given the fact that he was currently their prisoner. As for her father... that was simpler to answer, but also harder to answer, simply because Otto didn't know what the future held, as far as her father was concerned.

"My uncle and I always had a decent relationship," Otto explained to Robb, moving closer to the table to let her hands rest on it, merely for want of something to do with them. "He taught me quite a bit, as far as sword-fighting is concerned. Apart from my father and grandfather, him and uncle Tyrion were the only ones who were nice to me. They were the only ones I grew to like, but it became clear pretty soon that uncle Jaime and I didn't share the same views about a lot of things."

The familial bond was there, no doubt, but even with it, they disagreed on a lot. On big things. Just like Jaime probably disagreed with his father on many things. The only difference was that Otto disagreed so strongly that she was determined to flock to the other side and provide help where she felt like it was deserved.

"I stand against him," Otto continued. "But I know I don't have to tell you that he's worth more alive than dead."

Otto knew that Robb knew this, or he wouldn't have bothered sending him to a cell. There was a lot to discuss with his people, as far as that was concerned, but for now, Otto went on to the next question.

"My father knows what the consequences could be, but he's never truly been a passionate warrior. He fights when he needs to, and in this case, he felt he would be of more use off the field," Otto explained to Robb. "The moment I left home to join the war, my father left. I don't know where he is, but we already discussed it all. I knew what I had to do, and he respected it. And so, I'm here."

JAIME LANNISTER

Jaime supposed he should have seen that coming. Everything came down to gold, in the end, didn't it? He knew his father had plenty to spare, but gold wasn't something Robb Stark wanted.

It would be simple for the exchange to take place, for his sisters to be given back in return for Jaime being sent back, but Jaime knew that would never happen. Not so easily, and not so soon. Tywin didn't like being forced into making a decision. Jaime got that quality from his father.

"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see then, won't we?" Jaime smirked a little as he looked over Amalia. "Hell, we might as well make time here more interesting by wagering a bet on which one of us will get out first." It was something to pass the time.

Jaime was confident he wasn't going to get out soon, though his mind would be a little more at ease if he just spoke to Robb or Otto already. The waiting was killing him slowly from the inside, because he didn't like not knowing.

Jaime was also considering escape plans, but nothing would work very effectively right now. It helped that he had someone with him but that could either be in his favour or it could slow him down. jaime unfortunately knew nothing about what Amalia Hetherspoon was capable of, and he wasn't sure if he'd get a straight answer if he asked.

He looked over to the red haired woman once again when she brought up food. The very idea made his stomach growl and he realised how long he'd been in there. The conditions weren't ideal but the smell of food was definitely beginning to invade his senses.

"Nobody mentioned anything about it," Jaime shook his head. "Honestly, I've never been a prisoner before. Are we even privy to food?" He tilted his head to the side, only half joking. Even if they did get food, Jaime couldn't imagine eating with his hands tied, but he'd have to manage. There was no way he was getting his hands free. Not if Robb Stark had any say in the matter.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Lady Otto,” Robb repeated, more for himself than for her, to help him get accustomed to it. It was much less of a mouthful. Ottoline was still a pretty name, of course. Otto sounded masculine, with the o-ending to it, though he knew there were some feminine names that must end that way. He just couldn’t think of any off the top of his head.

Not that the lady before him had seemed inclined to stick to such things. In a way, she was like Arya. He was almost surprised with the support she had received from her family for her desire to pursue swordplay and war.

Arya would have wished for an uncle like Jaime. Perhaps, if Lyanna had lived, she would have had an aunt like that.

In either case, it seemed Jaime was someone she thought highly of, along with Tyrion Lannister, “I have no intention of seeing Ser Jaime Lannister killed,” he was worth more alive, he was a potent bargaining chip in bringing this war to a conclusion, though Robb would not see it end until he had gotten justice. Justice for his father, justice for his sisters, for Bran as well.

The thought that Tyrion was someone she liked did make him wonder if she was aware of what the Imp had done. A trial by combat cleared him, but Robb did not truly think he was innocent.

He thought better of mentioning it, right then.

Or to ask more about her father’s departure. It would be better that he didn’t know where Tyrek was, for the moment. He could only hope Otto’s sake that when the war cleared, she would be able to reunite with him. “I pray that your father will remain safe, and that you will see him again, wherever he has gone,” Robb indicated, wondering how easy it would be to hide as a Lannister.

Somehow, he couldn’t see it being easy, even if Tyrek didn’t have their typical golden blonde hair.

He let his gaze shift to Lord Umber. There were likely other questions he needed to ask, other concerns, but his mind was coming up blank at the moment, “What do you think, Lord Umber?” He asked. He knew the girl better. She had felt at home in his home. He might have insight into how sincere she was being, or what vibe he felt from her.

~***~

A gambling Lannister? That caused Mia to arch an eyebrow. How deep in debt could Jaime get, and how could she use that to her advantage? Certainly not the proper thought, but it crossed her mind. After all – a Lannister always pays his debts. How long had she been cursed with hearing that phrase?

An innocent gamble or two would make things interesting, though.

She managed to shrug her shoulders, “I cannot say I know. I presume they want us alive, which means inevitably we’ll eat something,” but perhaps not soon. A weak prisoner was just as good to them – likely better – than a strong and healthy prisoner, “I’ve never had the misfortune of being a prisoner before, either. I don’t think I’ll make a very good one.”

With that thought, she did circle back, “But back to the more interesting topic, what would you like to wager, Ser Jaime, on who gets out of here first?” A touch of a teasing smile, “I’ll even bet on myself in this case, though the odds are in your favor,” perhaps that would make it obvious, in some way, that she had a plan. Or perhaps he’d take it for nothing. She would prefer he take it the former way.

They couldn’t outright conspire together, but if they could start to build a rapport, they could figure out a way to do so under the nose of their rather non-vigilant guard.

 

[christy]

OTTOLINE LANNISTER

Otto nodded when Robb mentioned her father and seeing him again. "Thank you, my Lord." She had the same hope. She had a feeling she knew where her father was, because he mentioned to her a place that she might remain safe for a while if she ever found the need to run, but she would continue to keep that information to herself and just pray that when this was all over, she'd get to see him again. Alive.

Otto glanced toward the Greatjon when Robb looked to him for an opinion.

Lord Umber seemed to stay silent for a moment, as if wondering how best to respond. He remained where he stood from the moment he entered the tent — right by the entrance of it. "Yeh wouldn't believe the mouth she had on her when she was staying with us," he said at first, smiling a little. "Complained a lot about not liking it at home." Saying things like that at a young age should have been found out and rectified by her family, but the Greatjon was always amused by it.

"If it's how honest she is that you're askin' about, I know she's telling the truth," he eventually said, taking a few steps forward so that he stood beside Otto, instead of behind her. "I've known her for a few years, and I can speak for her. She's not here to cause trouble," he glanced at Otto. "Not for us, anyway."

That much was true. Otto would do what she could to cause trouble for their opponents, because by pledging her allegiance to Robb, she made it clear that she would fight for him and only him.

JAIME LANNISTER

Jaime wondered how long they intended to keep them. He was still sure Lady Hetherspoon would make it out much sooner, because the bargaining for his life and the lives of Robb's sisters would take some time. And it wouldn't be easy at all. Which meant they could draw out how long they wanted him to wait before giving him a meal. Jaime wouldn't put that past them. He hadn't exactly ever been the nicest to them. Why should they not be the same, when they had him as their prisoner?

"That'd make a fine toast, you know," Jaime told Amalia, letting his head rest back against the wall of the cell so he could look up, through the bars, to see the darkening sky. "Too bad we don't have anything to drink."

Jaime didn't expect Amalia to circle back to his thought about making a bet. He shifted his head to the side a little so he was looking at her without having to adjust his position too much. "That's some confidence for a woman tied up and tossed in a cell," Jaime remarked, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Where exactly is the confidence coming from?" He asked her, before deciding to accept any bet.

The way she spoke made it seem like she had something in mind, and at the moment, no idea was a bad idea.

He was keen on getting out, just as he was sure she was as well. It wouldn't be so bad to accept some help along the way — especially since his only ideas so far involved meeting Robb or Otto, and he had no idea when that was happening.

 

[Lucyfer]

Robb gave Greatjon ample time to construct a response. He did not pressure him for it, knowing that he was considering how to answer, or what to say. When he did speak, he spoke in favor of Ottoline. Apparently, she had complained about her home life even before now, and so it was easy for the Greatjon to believe what she said now.

‘But what does this mean for her future?’ A problem, no doubt, for later. When the war was over, and they had won, those who had served them would all find a place, even Ottoline. If she did not wish to return South, something could be done. A marriage arranged, or to allow her to stay as ward of Greatjon until she had found a place to be, if he was willing.

Robb would not see her cast out if she had nowhere to go.

“Well, if Lord Umber is willing to speak on your behalf, I will take both of your words to heart. Lady Otto, you may consider yourself a part of this endeavor. Any information you have on Lannister troop movement, numbers, or plans, we will appreciate, but for the moment we need to set you up with a place to stay, and to go through what was taken from the encampment so that your own items can be returned to you. Lord Bolton should be back in a bit.”

So first things first would be the tent. With some dead, they could likely afford to move troops around so she would have one to herself. Putting a lady with anyone else was simply indecent. “Lord Umber, do you mind if she stays in your portion of the camp? I believe your men would be more likely to defend her, if they have a history with her.” He added, moving from around the table to signal his intent to go along and enforce matters, as well as help to organize the camp.

~***~

Mia just returned Jaime’s smirk as it came her way. Yes, a difficult man to stay angry with. He got them into this mess, but it had hardly been his intent. He was likely full of regrets for it. Perhaps he didn’t care about all the lives lost, but she didn’t imagine him completely heartless. He’d at least suffer for it, when he got home, and rankings were determined again.
He likely wouldn’t be in charge of a unit for a bit.

She considered how much she wanted to say.

A bet wasn’t priority. Winning a bet wasn’t priority, if she could find a way to make Jaime understand that she had something up her boot. “Quite a few people would like to know that,” she offered, “but they didn’t look very hard.” To the seven hells with the bet, if Jaime understood the confidence came from something, then it was worth passing the information along.

She thought it was plain enough. “Though I suppose it’s always been a trait. My sister was rather overconfident,” Melara had always been bold for being a Spoon. And it was an easy way to dismiss it as nothing, as well, in case anyone was listening besides Jaime.