(I wasn't originally going to publish this story at all and I'm not even sure if I'm going to continue it. But I liked the first chapter so I thought I might as well put it out there on the Internet to see if anybody else likes it. If not then oh well. The main character's Tyra is pronounced (TEER-RA) just as Tyrion is pronounced (TEER-EE-UN)
She looked just like her mother. That's what people had been telling Lady Tyra Lannister of Casterly Rock her whole life. Joanna Lannister was considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms and the pride and joy of House Lannister. Her husband Tywin was the richest man in Westeros and probably the most powerful as well. A serious man who seemed to only smile in the presence of his beloved wife. How Tyra would have loved to seen such a sight but such wishes were folly. Mother died giving birth to Tyrion. Tyra was only two years old at the time and can't even remember her mother's face. The same cannot be said for her elder siblings Jaime and Cersei. The two of them remembered Mother with both fondness and sadness. It was said that Father was devastated by her loss but never showed it at least to Tyra. He was always cold and blunt since as long as she could remember. Tywin was never abusive but never loving either. While he didn't give Jaime or Cersei any kind of special treatment, he always seemed to treat them better than Tyra and Tyrion. Truthfully he was always busy doing other things then raising a single one of them.
The task of raising the Lannister children fell to their aunt and uncles. Uncle Kevan was the smartest among them and Tyra's favorite. He was always around to help her with whatever problem she had. Aunt Genna mostly concentrated on raising Cersei but she still made time for Tyra. She was blunt and never sugar coated anything while teaching Tywin's daughters how to act like a proper woman. "This may look like a man's world but its women who run it from the bedroom," Genna always said. Tygett and Gerion spent most of their time with Tyrion and Jamie but Gerion always made Tyra laugh. But tragedy and misery seem to be as much a part of the Lannisters as their gold. Tygett was dead of a summer pox and Gerion left Westeros looking for the ancient Lannister Valyrian sword Brightroar. His envoy vanished and he has not been heard from since. Genna left for the Twins to raise her own children leaving only Kevan. While he was still supportive, he spent most of his time raising his own son Lancel. That left Tyra's younger brother Tyrion as her only real friend and vice versa.
Tyrion was born a dwarf and that alone made him hated among the Lannisters but Tyra always suspected that mother dying to give birth to him was the real cause of Tywin's hatred for him. As for Tyra, father always seemed to avoid spending any time with her at all. Uncle Kevan told her that she reminded him too much of mother and Tywin couldn't stand to see her. So Tyrion and Tyra were in essence both punished for something they didn't do. Perhaps that was why they were so close being outcasts. Sure Tyra wasn't scorned by the rest of her family like Tyrion was but that didn't change the fact that she had more in common with him than anyone else. Her relationship with her elder siblings was not the same. Jamie was always civil and kind to Tyra but never really close. The same could be said about his twin Cersei. Tyra's older sister didn't mind having her around in public as long as everyone's eyes were on her and not her younger sister. Tyra suspected later on that her sister was jealous because Cersei was always considered to be the most beautiful woman anywhere she went, except when she was with Tyra. Cersei wanted her sister to be in her shadow and all eyes to be on her but Tyra didn't mind. It was only natural to be in the shadow of your elder sibling.
"Tyra," called out Kevan as her uncle entered the Stone Garden. Tyra found it to be one of the only few place she could ever find solitude. Whenever she came here, she would order her attendants to leave her and allow her some privacy. Gods knew she needed it after playing host countless times with father's guests and most of them suitors who tried to compete for her hand. The Crakehalls, the Florents, the Braxs, even the Freys all sent their most handsome bachelors to charm Tyra into marriage. Personally she found them all to be annoying but was always amused every time the men wouldn't dare speak a word to her while her father was in the same room. A Frey once tried it and Tywin watched from across the room with a glare that could probably frighten Gregor Clegane. The boy quickly left Casterly Rock that night.
Kevan took a seat on the same bench as his niece. "Your father requests your presence in his study."
Tyra didn't need to hear another word to know what it was about. Her father rarely spoke to her unless it was on formal occasions and there was no great ceremony or guests arriving today. Add to the fact that Uncle Kevan's uncomfortable look and that Tyra had bled for the first time a few weeks ago. All of this could only mean one thing. Tywin had found a match for his youngest daughter. Tyra wasn't surprised by this. In fact she had been expecting it. Cersei had married the newly crowned King Robert Baratheon which made Tyra now the sister of the queen and probably the most sought after maiden in the Seven Kingdoms. "Who will I marry?" she asked.
Kevan tried to suppress a smile, "Sometimes I think you're too smart for your own good." That all but confirmed it. Tyra didn't know where to feel nervous or excited. She always knew this day would come and often envisioned who it would be with. But ultimately it was her father's decision and Tyra managed to narrow down the mostly likely choices as either Edmure Tully or Willas Tyrell. Both were heirs to their respective houses and the Tullys and Tyrells were powerful families. A marriage with either one of them would secure a powerful alliance for the Lannisters. Willas Tyrell was a cripple but a smart and handsome young man according to those who knew him and Edmure was a bit dim-witted but a kind and honorable man.
"Who uncle?" Tyra repeated the question.
Kevan shook his head, "This is something you should discuss with your father." The man was uncomfortable about the topic which meant he didn't agree with Tywin's decision. Kevan never openly spoke out against any of his brother's decisions but Tyra began to recognize a certain look on his face when he felt differently with Tywin. Tyra excused herself and made her way to the upper levels of Casterly Rock. Second only to Harrenhal in size, Casterly Rock could house thousands of men and woman with enough provisions to keep them fed for years. Though it was originally built for the rich gold deposits underneath it, the castle had been expended until it was comprised of the entire hill it was situated upon. No one had ever breached its gates. Not Ironborn or Andal Invaders. It took dragons to make the Lannisters surrender their ancient crown and now the dragons were all dead.
Tyra came to a stop in front of the Golden Study. For centuries it was used as the personal office for the Lords of Casterly Rock and it was where her father often spent most of his days. Two guards decked in crimson armor stood vigil outside the doors. Tyra didn't even need to ask permission to enter, they knew who she was. She opened one of the doors to let herself in and found Tywin working at his desk. That seemed to what he was always doing whenever she saw him nowadays. People have often said that stress and depression would age a man but Tywin proved them wrong. He looked as strong and fit for a man nearly half his age. His days holding a sword and fighting in battles were long gone but his strength was still there as was his sound and stern mind.
"Father you wished to speak with me?" asked Tyra as she approached his desk.
"Yes," he replied without looking up from his work. He continued scribbling on a letter while Tyra took a seat.
"Have you decided whom I shall marry?" she openly asked. It was better when dealing with Father to just get straight to a point and not throw in small talk.
"I have," answered Tywin who either wasn't surprised by her bluntness or didn't care, possibly both. "You will marry Renly Baratheon."
"Renly?" Tyra asked, the words nearly getting caught in her throat. She had expected either Willas Tyrell or Edmure Tully. While she did anticipate that someone else was possible, she didn't expect Renly of House Baratheon. From what she knew of him, he was still only a child several years younger than Tyra.
Tywin finally raised his eyes to look at her. "Do you disapprove?" he asked but not in a way that meant her opinion mattered.
"I'm confused Father. What about Willas Tyrell or Edmure Tully?" Tyra inquired.
"The Tyrells rejected my offer and the Tullys aren't a strong enough house to warrant such a match for my youngest daughter. Hoster Tully should have been grateful I ever considered a match between Jaime and Lysa Tully," responded Tywin. The insults came after Jaime joined the Kingsguard and Tywin offered Tyrion as Lysa's replacement. Lord Hoster felt insulted and made sure Tywin and everyone else knew about it. Tywin never forgave him for that. House Lannister couldn't afford to ever look weak again. That was what Father always said, referring to the rule of Grandfather. He nearly bankrupted the family and lost the respect of all their vassals. Two of them: House Reyne and House Tarbeck eventually rebelled against the Lannisters but all of that changed when Father took command. Now the Tarbecks are a distant memory and the Reynes are nothing but a song.
"But why Renly Baratheon? Cersei is already married to Robert. How does marrying the youngest brother of House Baratheon benefit our family?" asked Tyra.
"Because Robert Baratheon has made Renly Lord of Storm's End and Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. Titles that will be inherited by his children should he eventually conceive any. Apparently Robert blames Stannis for letting the last surviving Targaryens escape Dragonstone and stripped him of Storm's End. He gave it to Renly and gave Stannis Dragonstone instead. As soon I found out, I had your sister persuade Robert into betrothing Renly to you," replied Tywin. Now things were starting to make sense. Renly had just become one of the most powerful people in the Realm and a marriage with him would help secure the Stormlands should the Lannisters require such an alliance. Also as such a young age, Renly would be more pliable to Tyra should she need to persuade him on an important matter. Whereas the Tullys and Tyrells would ensure that any women that marry the heirs of their houses would have little to no influence.
"I see. You're right Father. This is a good match for our family," stated Tyra.
"I'm glad you understand," replied Tywin as his eyes glanced down again to continue his work. That pretty much summed up Tyra's entire relationship with her father. He would barely pay any attention to her until he had something important for her to do. But Tyra had learned to live with it. At least Father didn't loathe her like he did Tyrion.
"When will we be married?" asked Tyra.
"When the boy comes of age. Has your sister invited you to court?" Tywin responded.
"Yes," nodded Tyra. Cersei had wanted her younger sister to come visit ever since being crowned queen months ago, probably to brag about it just like when they were children. Cersei wanted everyone to know that she was the most beautiful woman in the world whereas Tyra preferred to remain anonymous. Of course no one could be anonymous when they were a child of Tywin Lannister. Tyra had used whatever excuse she could to stay away from King's Landing. At least in Casterly Rock no one would cross her with Father looming around. But away from him, she would be a slab of meat among the lords and no one would be around to curb their advances. Not that Tyra couldn't handle herself but she just found the attention demeaning and infuriating.
"Perhaps it is time you accepted her offer. Renly is being tutored there but has little contact with either of his brothers. Robert and Stannis avoid him as much as they avoid each other. The boy has few friends and is said to be eager to please anyone which makes him pliable," continued Tywin. Father didn't need to say anymore for Tyra to realize what was going on. Befriend him, seduce him, whatever it takes to get Renly under her thumb. All for the greater good of House Lannister.
"I will pack my things and be ready to travel tomorrow morning," said Tyra. There was no sense to argue or explain how she didn't want to go. The truth was that her opinion didn't matter. It's never mattered to her Father. As a child, Tyra would do anything her father asked out of a desire to please him. She hoped she would eventually win over his love one day and just once smile at her. But as the years dragged on, Tyra realized Father never smiled. Rumors were that he only did when he was with Mother but she was gone and seemingly took her husband's smile with her.
"That will be all," Tywin dismissed her as he returned to his work. Tyra rose from her seat and wordlessly left the room.
(I took some creative liberties involving the timeline. Gerion vanished just after the Greyjoy Rebellion and Tygett didn't die until years after when this story takes place. But I wanted to emphasize that Tyra was really one of the only few people Tyrion still had in his life that loved him. Jaime was away in the Kingsguard, Kevan focused on his own children, and Genna was at the Twins. Well I hope you enjoyed this and maybe I'll post another chapter if enough people like this story.)