Dorne is definitely the Virginia of Westeros — it's for lovers. The young royals Trystane and Myrcella are the happiest couple I've seen in a while, and Oberyn gave us a taste last season of the Dornish penchant for passion. Could Game of Thrones be hinting at a Jaime Lannister and Ellaria Sand romance next? The Kingslayer loves a strong woman, and he could do with a new romantic interest.
If that wasn't flirting, or at least a friendly meeting of the minds, that passed between Jaime and Ellaria while he wrote to King's Landing, then I'm seriously worried for Jaime Lannister's life. We've seen a lot of characters asked, or forced to swear allegiance to those they didn't necessarily want to on Game of Thrones. I want to believe that Ellaria can be trusted, but I also don't believe that she'd give up this easily. Their conversation could be read as an olive branch and it could be read as a threat. Ellaria Sand is a bastard, with no designs on the Iron Throne or noble duties that we know of other than her link to House Martell. Her beef with the Lannisters is strictly personal, and that's even more dangerous.
Still, I like that Ellaria related his relationship with Cersei to her unmarried union with Oberyn. They are more open-minded in Dorne, that's for certain. Then again, that may have just been a way for the Game of Thrones writers to remind us that the Targaryens were fond of incest as well. Still, it seemed to hint that Ellaria and Jaime could become allies in the future, if not more.
If you look to George R. R. Martin's books for answers about this particular pairing, I'm afraid that you're not going to find much. There are some book spoilers ahead, so look away if you want to remain unbowed, unbent, and unbroken by the plot details. Both characters have strayed from their novel counterparts in the HBO series. Ellaria seems to be absorbing some of Arianne Martell's story (more vengeance than strategy so far, unfortunately) and Jaime has taken an entirely different path. In the books, Jaime is still in Westeros on a "break" from his twin sister while strategizing with Edmure Tully and still on the hunt for Sansa Stark. Some fans have theorized that Jaime is going to take up the role of Quentyn Martell, who goes on a quest to seduce and marry Daenerys Targaryen. However, Dany's a little indisposed at the moment, and Quentyn's fate makes me hope that Jaime sticks to the Westeros coast.
Without a doubt, HBO's Game of Thrones is welcome to entertain a romance between Ellaria and Jaime. I'm into it if you're into it. Personally, I'm rooting for Jaime and Brienne to reunite one day and take their friendship to the next level. That chemistry had a real spark to it, and did you see the look on Jaime's face when he realized he was sailing by Tarth this season? Precious. However, first and foremost, Jaime Lannister needs to be with someone who is not his sister at least once. I'm not just saying that out of some ridiculous aversion to incest, a universal taboo in our world if not the Game of Thrones world. I'm not even one of those people who cares about your "number" in the grand scheme of things. The Kingslayer has a lot of love to give, and it's a shame that he keeps holding a torch for someone so nefarious as Cersei.
Images: Macall B. Polay/courtesy of HBO; valonqars/Tumblr
