"You swear to protect the king from harm or threat?" The high sparrow spoke, his voice never wavering, obviously being used to the large crowd that was in front of him.

"I do," Jaime responded. He had been surrounded by the other Kingsguard, who on orders of the King had said farewell to their golden armour for one that was a dusty black and had a roaring three-headed dragon imprinted on it. Jaime looked at them, not knowing who was who, except for Ser Jonothor Darry, who towered over the others in height and build. They had their swords held in front of them, and the King stood behind them. Jaime searched the crowds for his father, who was nowhere to be seen. He'd thought he'd of made some effort to watch him be sworn in.

"You swear to provide the same protection that you will give to the King to the royal family, mistresses and bastards alike?"

"I do."

"To follow orders from the King, other blood royals, the Hand and the Small Council?"

"I do."

"To serve the King's pleasure's?"

"I do."

"To keep the King's secrets and take them with you to the grave?"

So dramatic. Jaime thought to himself, but nonetheless nodded his head and responded. "I do."

"To protect the King's name and his honour?"

"I do."

"To father no children, hold no wives or homes?"

Jaime's eyes flashed to Cersei, who nodded her head for him to go on. Her eyes pushing him on, "I do."

"Do you promise to protect the Targaryen name? Hold them as your true Kings and Queens, never to rebel against them nor their name?"

"I do."

The high Sparrow sighed and held out his hand and placed it on Jaime's golden hair. "With the Seven looking down on us, I hereby swear you into the holy brotherhood of the Kingsguard. Ser Jaime Lannister." The Sparrow removed his head, moved aside to allow the squires to shuffle in and hand Jaime his new black helm and quickly changed his own Lannister armour into one of the Kingsguard. As rehearsed the night before, once he had been dressed, he walked over to the King who carelessly touched his left and right elbows with a sword and then to the Lord Commander, Ser Gerold, who gave him his own sword. All the while, Jaime wondered how Aerys did anything with the nails he had, it was a miracle he was able to even pick up the damned sword.

Rhaegar was the first one to start the applause, smiling at the newly appointed Kingsguard. He turned to his wife, who held a stiff face and then to Arianne, who was stood at his right side. "Enjoyed it?" He asked over the loud applause.

Arianne clapped along with him and she nodded her head. "I'm just scared to go back out there," she honestly replied. They had made their way to the Sept on foot, past the hundreds and thousands who had gathered to see the Prince and their King. Ned, who had never seen such a thing, looked at Arianne in bewilderment and she nudged him along. Rhaegar had kindly given him a room in his guest house after a Dornish family had departed from Kingslanding, and Arianne made sure he was grateful. Even if he was grateful, the room was a long walk for both brother and sister, who had become inseparable ever since he had arrived. Ned had also received a letter from his brother Brandon, who told him that they were almost at Winterfell. Apparently, Lyanna was grateful to separate from Robert and the Baratheon party so much so that she smiled from sunrise to sundown every day since.

"He looks depressed," Ned said to his sister, watching as Jaime followed the other six Kingsguard up the steps to where they stood, the King in between them. Rhaegar, the Queen and Elia had caught up with him, walking out of the Sept together.

"You look depressing," Arianne pointed out. Since their time together she noticed her brother had alternated from three different pants and two different dress shirts. Ned looked at her annoyed and covered his eyes as the sun hit them directly. Arianne couldn't wait for the ceremony that was to follow, apparently, it had been planned to be outside and there would be performances in Jaime's honour. Ned on the other hand, thought the whole proceeding too much, if he was sworn in then that was it, he didn't see the need for extravagances.

The King, who had been walked with his back arched, was muttering to himself. The people who had come to greet them, scared to say anything to him, instead focused on Rhaegar; who engaged with them well, waving and smiling back at them.

"They like him, a lot," Ned said, watching as Rhaegar moved Jonothor aside to pick up a young girl who had run up to him.

Arianne watched along with him and then looked back at her brother. "I can't see why not," she said, smiling at the man who had irked her regularly but was infatuated with.

Ned rolled his eyes at her. "Stop drooling."

...

The ceremony held in honour of Jaime was well under way, with singers and musicians entertaining the crowds and courtiers that were present at the garden celebration. Rhaegar, who hadn't spoken to Arianne since they returned to the Keep, whispered something to his mother as the dancing began and left the gardens for his own newly created quarters. He had wanted to check on the preparations for the small feast he had prepared to welcome Arianne to Kingslanding. A very overdue welcome, he thought to himself, pushing aside the sheer silk curtains that he had chosen to have the Keep's windows and doors covered in. His advisor had told him it would be cheaper and quicker than buying wooden or steel doors.

He watched as the servants put the final touches for the feast, plates placed on the small circular tables and candles being lit around the room. "It looks perfect," he smiled at a passing servant, who held a large vase containing Forget-Me-Nots. She smiled at him and continued working, whispering and giggling to the others as she did so.

"You were always the charmer."

The voice he had dreaded hearing since its owner had returned to Kingslanding. "Get back to the gardens Cersei." He rolled his eyes as she neared him.

Cersei, never one to follow instructions, shook her head and stood behind him. "A private celebration for my brother?" She asked, watching as the servants left the room.

"Nope," Rhaegar responded, walking around the small lounge room turned feast room to inspect it.

Cersei frowned. "So, what's all this for?" She asked him, crossing her arms over her chest and watching as he touched anything to distract himself.

"Someone that's not you," he retorted, his voice distant.

Cersei smiled at him and shook her head, walking up to him, she snaked her arms around his neck, the height difference bringing him down a few inches. "Don't you miss what we used to have? Don't you miss me?"

Rhaegar annoyed that she had touched him, freed himself from her grip. "I stopped missing you a long time ago."

"When?"

"When I married Elia. Five years ago," he snapped back.

"Well, I hear you have mistresses now." Cersei pointed out.

"What?"

"You think I do not keep up to date with the man who will wed me soon? No future husband, I know everything. it's alright your secrets are safe with me," she said, touching his hand with her own.

"I do not have any mistresses," Rhaegar said, taking his hand back. "And I will never be your husband."

She blinked up at him. "You can be my other things."

Rhaegar let out a laugh. "And then what? You'd fall conveniently pregnant?"

"So, you do want to be my other things?" Cersei smirked, bringing his hand to her cheek. "We both know that imposter you drag around with you all the time won't last here long."

"Go back to the gardens," Rhaegar repeated, though he did not take his hand from her cheek.

Cersei shook her head. "You'll get tired of her, just like you got tired of Elia," she smiled, placing a small kiss on his hand.

"Stop it."

"What was the saying? Old habits die hard?" She asked, moving her head to the side. "Or was it same dog new bitch?"

Rhaegar, shaking himself from her trance, took his hand from her cheek. "You forget yourself."

"No, you've forgotten me," Cersei said, touching her chest lightly.

"If you want to continue being welcome here, I suggest you watch your tongue."

Cersei let out a laugh, "look at you trying to resist me," she shrugged her shoulders. "See you tonight I guess." Smirking, she walked off to the now dark outside.

Rhaegar sighed pouring himself a cup of wine from the table nearest to him, drinking it, he poured another for himself. Shrugging his shoulders, he put down the cup and walked back to the gardens briskly and sat himself down next to Arianne, who had been playing with the pigeon pie in front of her.

"Not to your liking?" He smiled at her, picking up her hand in his and playing with her dragon ring.

Arianne turned to him in surprise and then in anger. "I've been sat here alone for so long. Where have you been?" She asked.

"Somewhere," Rhaegar responded, touching her nose with his finger.

"Well, I've been having a lovely chat with your mother."

Rhaegar shrugged. "Amazing."

Arianne gave him a pointed look and sniffed once. "You've been drinking." She accused.

"Sorry mother," Rhaegar responded, giving her a questioning look.

Arianne wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Ew."

Rhaegar let out a laugh, "my mother and father are siblings and your sibling's parents were cousins. There's nothing wrong with it."

Her face turned into one of question and repulsion, but before she could respond with an even more offensive statement, Julian Tyrell tapped his finger on the table. "Brother," he said, nodding towards Rhaegar. "Hello, my lady."

Arianne looked at him, both angry and confused that he did not remember their last encounter. "Julian. How is water treating you?" Rhaegar asked, standing from his seat to shake his friend's hand.

Julian shrugged his shoulders. He did look less lively than the last time Arianne had seen him and he seemed to be much quieter without the wine. "There are so many beautiful women here and I'm saddened that I don't have a helping hand."

Rhaegar rolled his eyes and sat back down, indicating for Julian to sit down next to him. "Have you met my own beautiful woman? Lady Arianne Sand." Arianne nodded her head at him briefly, but focused her on looking anywhere but at him.

"No, I haven't," Julian responded and he paused for a moment, "though I feel as if I've dreamt of you."

Rhaegar looked at Julian suspiciously but before he could warn his friend, the King stood from his seat and held his hand up, indicating that he wanted to say something. His mood seemed to have lifted greatly for he had a small creepy smile etched on his face. Julian looked to Rhaegar and raised his brow, Rhaegar shook his head. "Congratulations and so on and so on to Ser Jaime Lannister," he said, seeming uninterested in the matter.

Ned, who had been seated at a table with other courtiers, walked to their table, greeted Julian and gave his sister a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to retire, it's getting late."

Rhaegar scoffed at the young boy. "The sun went down only now. Stay a little," he insisted.

Ned shook his head and congratulated him but insisted on leaving. "No, I'm quite new to late nights. Good night, your grace." With that, he was making his way away from the gardens and to Rhaegar's first guest house.

She turned to Jonothor, who swung a glass of wine quickly and smiled, but quickly pouted. "You've abandoned me to be with the newest recruit," she said, feigning a sad sigh.

"Well, the more experienced are reserved for the King," he pointed out, not wanting to offend her as he wiped his mouth and placed his helm back over his head.

Arianne rolled her eyes. "The four best warriors in the Seven Kingdoms for one man. How much danger could he possibly be in?" She laughed, Jonothor flashed a smile down at her and shook his head. Arthur came behind Jonothor, whispered something, and pulled him to the side.

"Is he alright?" Arianne asked Rhaegar, watching as the King was helped from his seat discreetly and shuttled off behind the curtains, presumably to his rooms.

Rhaegar shrugged. "Old age."

...