~In King's Landing~

A servant boy can be seen scrubbing something on the floor, as Baelish walks down a hallway next to a courtyard. Cersei and some kingsguard approach from behind.

"Lord Baelish, I wonder if I might ask you for a favor," Cersei questions, with it being more of a demand.

"Of course, Your Grace. How might I assist you," Baelish questions.

"Ned Stark's youngest daughter Arya... we can't seem to locate her, nor her oldest sister Arabella," Cersei states. Baelish walks closer to Cersei and her guards.

"If they've escaped the capital, Winterfell seems the logical destination. Maybe even her brother's camp," Baelish states.

"And yet my friends in the North report no sign of her, nor anywhere else," Cersei states.

"Curious," Baelish states with a look of confusion. He knows someone who may know where at least one of the girls may be, but he can not be too sure if he can trust him.

"If we choose to negotiate with the Starks, the girls have some value. Whoever finds them, well, you know what they say about Lannisters and debts," Cersei supplies, setting the bait.

"Well, you could ask Varys where they are. He'll have an answer for you. Whether you believe it,,, Myself, I have always had a hard time trusting eunuchs," Baelish says smiling to himself, "Who knows what they want".

"A mockingbird," Cersei says pointing to a pin on Baelish's shirt, "You created your own Sigil, didn't you"?

"Yes," he says with courage.

"Appropriate for a self-made man with so many songs to sing," Cersei replies.

"I'm glad you like it. Some people are fortunate enough to be born into the right family. Others have to find their own way," he explains.

"I heard a song once about a boy of modest means who found his way into the home of a very prominent family. He loved the eldest daughter. Sadly, she had eyes for another," Cersei says with a smirk.

"When boys and girls live in the same home, awkward situations can arise. Sometimes, I've heard, even brothers and sisters develop certain affections. And when these affections become common knowledge, well, that is an awkward situation, indeed. Especially in a prominent family. But prominent families often forget a simple truth, I've found," Baelish explains.

"And which truth is that," she questions.

"Knowledge is power," he quips.

"Seize him," Cersei says as her guards seize Baelish, "Cut his throat," A guard holds a knife to Baelish's neck, "Stop. Wait. I've changed my mind. Let him go".

The guards let Baelish go. Cersei continues her commands, "Step back three paces. Turn around. Close your eyes," The guards do as Cersei says.

Cersei turns to Baelish, "Power is power. Do see if you can take some time away from your coins and your whores to locate the Stark girls for me. I would very much appreciate it".

Cersei walks away from Baelish, her guards following close behind. Leaving Baelish alone. Cersei moves around the castle and towards the throne room where her son happily rearranging the throne room.

"What is all this," Cersei asks.

"Returning this room to its proper appearance. Say what you will about the Targaryens, they were conquerors. That is a seat for a conqueror. It needs a room to match it, not vines and flowers," Joffrey tells his mother hoping she will agree with him.

"We can't find Arya or Arabella Stark," Cersei tells her son.

"With luck, they're dead in a ditch somewhere," Joffrey scoffs.

"Perhaps. But if not, we need them. They'll never give Jaime back to us for Sansa alone, and Jaime will not come back without your aunt," Cersei explains.

"I think they might. They're weak. They put too much value on their women," Joffrey explains walking towards the throne, "Besides why would I want my traitorous aunt here. She would do nothing other than warm a cell where she would sit to rot for the rest of her life".

"We need to set our armies to the task of finding them. Send out as many men as we can. I'm sure if you asked grandfather, " Cersei recommends.

"The King does not ask; He commands. And my grandfather's stupidity in the field of battle is the reason Robb Stark has Uncle Jaime in the first place," he states in annoyance.

"His life is in danger," Cersei states, trying to make her son see reason.

"We're at war. All our lives are in danger. I heard a disgusting lie about Uncle Jaime. And you," he said in a sneer.

"Our enemies will say anything to weaken your claim to the throne," she explains hoping he will take the lie.

"It's not a claim. The throne is mine," he states getting angrier as the conversation continues.

"Of course it is. No one believes this foul gossip, " she states trying to calm her son.

"Someone believes it. Father had other children? Besides me and Tommen and Myrcella," he questions her.

"What are you asking," Cersei asked confused.

"I'm asking if he fucked other women when he grew tired of you. How many bastards does he have running," Joffrey was cut off when Cersei instinctively slaps Joffrey. It grows quiet as many workers look over at Joffrey and Cersei. Joffre looks up shocked, and then around to the workers in the room. Cersei appears nervous.

"What you just did is punishable by death. You will never do it again. Never," he says before turns to walk away, "That will be all, Mother.

~In a camp near the twins~

Days since the night that Jaime told Arabella the truth passed by. Jaime never saw Arabella again, nor did he see her mother. Jaime would sit day and night in that makeshift cell and resee the scenes from that night. The look of heartbreak and betrayal on Arabella's face. The anger and sadness in her voice when he said something he shouldn't have. He could have lied and said he didn't know what happened to Bran to make him fall off the tower, but he knew that Arabella would call out his line as soon as he said it. Those were the things about his wife, she took the time to understand him, learn things about him, and sometimes read his mind before he even spoke. She could tell when he was lying when even the best people couldn't. She was able to read his expressions from across the room and know when it was time to save him from a boring conversation. She knew him, better than Cersei ever did, and he could possibly say even more than himself.

Jaime often wondered how she was doing, though he couldn't ask anyone about her, because no one knew she was here. She was a ghost, and it was to keep her safe. That is all he could ask for at this moment. Her safety, their children's safety. He may be a bad person at times, and a terrible parent to his actual children, but he truly cared for Arabella and their future children. He could only hope that the added stressors wouldn't harm the babies, and he prayed that Cersei never finds out about them. The gods may be mad at him, but he could only hope that they would protect the one who does so much good for the world. They could take everything away from him, as long as it meant that she was treated with the kindness she puts out.

Over the last few nights Jaime felt a presence around his cell. He would look around to see no one there. He knew he should know the person there, but he could not place the energy. He only knew that they were there to protect him if the time came.

For days Arabella sat in her tent during the day and when the sun set and all was dark around her she would slip out and wander into the woods. It was calming to the raging storm inside. Some nights she felt that she was alone, others she could feel a presence nearby. One that felt strangely familiar to her, and that it meant no harm to her only protection if the time should come. Each night the presence seemed to come closer to her, but still kept away and hidden incase of a need to run away or better protect.

Arabella was starting to show more now as she was further along in the pregnancy. Her mother kept monitoring her and ensuring she eats her meals, knowing how when Arabella is not in the mood she will go days without eating. Today Catelyn went to meet with Lord Renly to get him and Robb on the same side of the war. She could only hope it would work to their benefit. Arabella stayed away from Jaime as best as she could, she wanted to hate him for everything he had done, but she couldn't help but still love him. She wondered if this is how her mother felt about her father leaving his wife and children to be with her. Was she okay with it, or was she appalled at first but her love for him was too strong to think otherwise. Arabella knew she was going to have to see Jaime again, but it would be on her terms. She was stubborn and she could hear Ned telling her that she needs to work on forgiveness, despite what she was actually forgiving him for. Ned knew the stories of her parents and still kept her and Jon safe, knowing that things could turn bad quickly. Arabella started keeping a journal to track the days and the pregnancy. Maybe one day it would be useful to her future to look back and see that even though she has been through dark times, she will always rise above. 

** sorry it took so long. Work and life has been crazy.