So, now that Black Wolf has finished for now it's time for me to move fully on to this story! I got such an overwhelming response to the first chapter (It's one of the most popular, first chapter stories, on the site) and I thank all of you for that!

I'm writing this as I've just seen the new Season 7 trailer and OH MY GOODNESS I got chills. I'm so excited!

I own nothing and earn nothing from this, it is just for my own, and all of your, entertainment.

267 AC

The first four years of Roland's life had been fairly happy. The only member of Lynora's family to truly scorn both her and her son was Lord Tywin, and even that was contained thanks in part to the influence of Lynora's sister Joanna, and partly because he was over in King's Landing rather than Casterly Rock. Lord Tytos was always kind though, looking after the bastard girl and her son as if they were trueborn, feeding them well, and allowing Roland to learn from the Maester. Everything changed soon enough though.

Lord Tytos had grown into a fool in his last years, bestowing the candlemakers daughter with all sorts of jewellery that belonged to Lynora's aunt, and the woman took that to mean she could boss everybody about in Casterly Rock, even trying to dismiss Lynora a couple of times. Lord Tytos rarely intervened, only when it came to Lynora would he put his foot down.

Roland had just begun to use a wooden sword and he was loving it. It was one of the only things he was able to do without truly being scorned by the trueborn Lords and Ladies, although Lynora guessed that was once again more to do with the influence of Joanna Lannister than anything. It was still early days though and he was only learning to hit things.

Everything changed one afternoon however, as Lynora was walking along with a shoeless and shirtless Roland on the coast beneath Casterly Rock as the little boy was jumping around happily in the sea. Lynora watched on happily at her son when suddenly the bells began tolling in Casterly Rock.

"Momma, what's that?" Roland asked loudly.

"I don't know my sweet. Come, put your shirt and shoes back on." Lynora urged, worried that it was another uprising or something. The Reyne-Tarbeck rebellion was still fresh in her mind, even if she was a girl of 18 at the time and none of the actual fighting happened at Casterly Rock, she had been so scared for her half-brother Stafford, who had been captured. Rushing Roland's shirt and shoes on she picked him up and ran back up to the castle. She struggled to find any form of information, as servants were rushing around in a panic. It took a few minutes, but she finally found her half brother.

"Stafford, what's happening?" She asked. He turned to her voice sadly.

"It's Uncle Tytos, dear sister." Stafford said mournfully. He's passed."

Lynora looked up in shock as tears filled her eyes. "How?" She whispered tearfully.

" He wasn't a very… thin man." Stafford said, trying to be kind. "And he kept that whore in such high rooms."

"I begged him to set her aside." Lynora sighed. "He wouldn't listen."

"Of course he wouldn't, you're base born and he was a Great Lord of Westeros." Stafford mocked. "A raven has been sent to Lord Tywin, I expect they'll arrive in a couple of weeks."

"Joanna will be pleased then, she hasn't seen him in almost six months." Lynora smiled softly, rocking Roland who had fallen asleep somehow. "I wonder how she's taken the news…

"She's dealing with it now, just remember not to…"

"Not to seek her out myself, yes thank you Stafford I know." Lynora snapped.

"I'm just saying! It will already be tetchy; you know Lord Tywin never truly approved of you staying here." Stafford warned.

Lynora nodded sadly, before putting her free hand to her mouth quickly in shock. "Oh no! Do you think he will let us stay now?" She asked.

"I don't know sister." Stafford sighed.

Lynora held Roland even closer, worried about the future of his life now that Tywin Lannister was the Lord of Casterly Rock.

A week later, after the funeral of Tytos Lannister, Joanna Lannister invited Lynora and Roland to her chambers. Lynora had made sure to remind the toddler before they got to her rooms that the babies weren't as big as him, so he was to be gentle. Knocking on the door she only had to wait a moment before the kind voice of Joanna came through the door.

"Come in!"

Lynora opened the door to find Joanna just putting one of the twins down, with Tywin looking happily on. His smile died though when he saw the two of them in the doorway.

"Remember what I said." Tywin said coolly towards Joanna, who just waved him off. With that Tywin strode past a curtseying Lynora swiftly.

"Forgive Tywin, we've received word that the King is moving court to Casterly Rock and he's on edge." Joanna explained, smiling and cooing at the babies. "Now, where's my favourite nephew!" Joanna grinned, enveloping Roland in a big hug. Lynora smiled, Joanna couldn't often portray affection to Roland, but when they were in private she was always so loving.

"Here Aunt Joanna!" Roland squealed.

"I see! Come here." Joanna asked, patting her lap. Roland ran over and jumped up on Joanna's lap. "I want you to look after the babies while I talk to momma ok?"

"Why are they holding hands?" Roland asked innocently.

"They were together in my belly for a long time, they love each other very much." Joanna said, scooting Roland over on the chair. "Remember to be gentle if you touch them, but they're sleeping now so be very careful."

Roland nodded eagerly, before assuming a face of responsibility. Joanna led Lynora through to a separate chamber.

"What can I do for you, sister?" Lynora smiled. Joanna sighed.

"It's Tywin, the daft, daft man." Joanna huffed. "The King visiting has made him look at the family and he doesn't want to offend anybody. He's asked me to say that he won't have you or Rolly in the castle while the King stays."

Lynora wasn't overly surprised. She knew that her cousin didn't like her because she was a bastard, and he liked Roland even less. "Does Lord Tywin have an idea of where we can go?" She asked shortly.

"It isn't my idea, I begged him to reconsider." Joanna said, her eyes watering. "He doesn't often use the Lord card, but he did in this case. I cannot go behind his back here Lyn I'm sorry."

Lynora sighed. "I've been expecting it if I'm honest, Can I stay as close as Lannisport or am I banished altogether?"

"I've personally seen to it that you have a comfortable place in Lannisport, and you'll receive plenty of gold. You won't even have to work." Joanna smiled sadly, taking her half sisters hand.

"Thank you." Lynora smiled weakly. "When will we have to go?"

"The King won't arrive for a week, but I want you to be settled in. Myself and Stafford will help you move in a few days time." Joanna explained.

"How often will I see you all?" Lynora asked.

"I hope you understand the situation. With the King and all the court coming…" Joanna started before trailing off. Lynora sniffed and nodded, understanding.

"Very well, I'll begin packing today." She went to leave before being stopped by Joanna.

"Stop, we are still sisters I swear it by the Gods." Joanna said. "We will act like sisters."

"My Lady." Lynora bowed her head, trying not to giggle, before thinking of something. "Is the Queen coming?"

"Gods no." Joanna sighed. "She cannot stand to look at me after that lecherous beast handled me at my wedding."

"My Lady!" Lynora laughed outraged. "He's the King!"

"So don't tell anyone I said that." Joanna grinned, before turning serious again. "I just hope Tywin can keep cool for as long as Aerys is here, he won't do anything when he's in our home but still…"

"I understand." Lynora soothed. "I don't think I've seen the King since… since Roland was conceived."

"You still haven't told me about that!" Joanna said eagerly. "Lord Jon Arryn, what was he like?"

"Drunk." Lynora snorted in laughter, before softening. "But kind, I think he was sad that he hadn't had a child before, he mentioned that seeing the Prince was hard for him."

"He still hasn't had a child." Joanna noted. "As it stands Roland could be his heir."

"Elbert Arryn is his heir, his nephew." Lynora sighed. "I've not heard from Lord Arryn at all since Roland was born. He sends gold when he can but that's not what Roland needs."

"Lord Jon is the Lord of the Vale, he's busy and you're on the other side of Westeros." Joanna frowned. "You can't expect him to drop everything for a bastard, no matter how joyful he is."

"I know." Lynora sighed, and the two girls fell into random conversation after that.

A few weeks afterwards, when King Aerys and the court were settled into Casterly Rock, Lynora had just about settled in to the modest house that Joanna had provided in Lannisport. It was still close enough to the mountainous castle for Joanna to visit without too much trouble, but far enough away that Roland and Lynora could live their own lives.

Lynora was hanging out some washing when suddenly a commotion came from outside. Making sure Roland was occupied with a small wooden sword and a bag of hay, Lynora went to have a look. In the distance, she saw a group of Lannister guards walking slowly down the street. Lynora's neighbours also came out to see, and they all gasped at what they saw. Lord Tytos' whore was being paraded naked in the streets, going up to every man. She was in hysterics, Lynora noticed, although the bastard girl couldn't feel sorry for her uncles lover.

It was when she got closer that Lynora started hearing what she was saying through the sobs. "I am a thief and a harlot, I have shamed House Lannister, Lannisport and the entire Westerlands. Lord Tywin is just." When the woman got to Lynora, Lynora just spat on the floor, disgusted at the sight of the sagging body and walked back inside. She hated the woman for what she did to her uncle, and would never forgive her.

It turned out later that Lord Tytos' whore was banished from the Westerlands, and as Lynora sat watching Roland tuck into a small bit of mutton, she finally felt like she agreed with an action of Tywin Lannister's.

270 AC

Three years after Lord Tytos' death, Jon Arryn stood over his wife. He sighed sadly, looking at the stones covering her eyes, as was custom. A winter chill had taken Rowena, and it was yet another marriage that had ended fruitless when it came to producing an heir. Jon wondered whether it was his fault that he couldn't get women pregnant, but then he thought on his stillborn daughter many years ago, and again on the bastard he had sired almost 8 years ago. Determined, he went to find his bannermen. The Lords and Ladies of the Vale had arrived at the Eyrie to pay their respects to the late Lady Arryn. He found them after a few minutes searching chatting amicably in the Throne Room.

"Lord Uthor, Lord Eon, Lady Anya." He addressed Lords Royce, Hunter and Lady Waynwood, his most powerful bannermen. "May I ask for your opinion on something."

"Of course, My Lord." Lord Royce said. "What can we do for you."

"I'm getting old now, too old to be stressing over finding a wife and siring children. I want your opinion on confirming Elbert as my heir."

"A wonderful idea my Lord!" Lady Waynwood exclaimed. "I'm sure Elbert will be thrilled."

"It's not just that though, if Elbert were to die, then it would only be me making up House Arryn." Jon said, sighing as he thought of his next question. "I want to bring my bastard to the Vale."

Silence crept over the room as the three powerful Valeman thought about it. "Are you sure? It's never too late to marry again, My Lord." Lord Hunter said.

"I'm sure, I'm too old for that." Jon responded.

"House Royce will always be behind you, but to raise a Lannister…"

"He will be raised as a Stone for now, if he proves himself worthy then I will ask the king to legitimise him to follow any trueborn Arryn's in the succession." Jon said.

"You've certainly thought about this…" Lord Hunter said.

"I've had seven years to think on this, only now I can act on it without offending my wife, may the gods protect her soul." Jon sighed. "But I want your agreements."

"House Waynwood will stand with you, you say the bastard will be placed last in the succession and I completely agree." Lady Waynwood smiled.

"As will House Hunter."

"He can squire with my son, Yohn, when he is older." Uthor Royce said. "Teach him what it means to be an Arryn, and Yohn will teach him how to be a knight."

"Very well, it is settled then. Thank you my friends." Jon smiled, excusing himself before going straight to his solar.

He sat at his desk and pulled out some paper and a quill, and began writing.

Dear Lynora...

There's chapter 2! Time will fly pretty quickly in the beginning of the story, and I think Roland will be 18 in chapter 7. I hope you all enjoyed this! The response was overwhelming on chapter 1, with over 75 followers and 50 favourites! I'll admit that's probably down to the length of time between posts more than anything but oh well.

Let me know what you think so far, pretty nervous about this story as I only have basic source material and I felt like I could truly relate to Torrhen as I feel like I'd be a Northerner at heart. The truly honourable Arryn's are a bit different, and the Lannisters even more so.

This will not be my Lannister story either. I aim to eventually write an OC story for most of the Great Houses, if not all, but I feel Lynora isn't close enough to the 'main branch'.

Until next time!

Reviews:

AmuletOfWinter: Thank you! I hope this is as enjoyable.

The Mikaelson Cupcake: I thought I'd do a form of sneak preview when the idea was fresh in my mind and it seemed to go down well! I liked that bit too, it's fun to write characters that you don't really know about how they acted from the books/show, but they're just talked about in past tense.

Hail King Cerion: I agree, I thought about having him trueborn but honestly, an Arryn and Lannister bastard makes for such a better story (I hope)

Brandon of House Stark: Thank you for saying that! BWR will always have a special place for me and I'm excited to continue with that after season 7, but I'm excited for a brand new story too.

BrotherCaptainSheperd: I already know who he will marry and it won't be Lyanna, but that doesn't mean they won't meet.

RHatch89: Difference with Roland is that he's very high born, and Jon Arryn hasn't been able to conceive, so he would treat Roland as well as he could just in case he had no other heirs.

Guest (Eyrie): This answers your question!

jean d'arc: Rowena Arryn is his second wife, his first was Jeyne Royce, his second was a distant cousin Rowena, and then his third was Lysa Tully. In terms of Bastards the stigma is far too set for that, there have been many famous ones that were wonderful people, but still they get shunned. I have his storyline planned out up until the beginning of the series, but obviously I can't tell you if your hint is correct!

Tritan: I think most people thought that, and hopefully Roland being a bastard hasn't put people off. This chapter makes it clear that Tywin doesn't want him involved, but that might change as he grows soft in his later years (haha!)

sexybutcreepy: Tywin doesn't want the stain on his family though, maybe that will change in the future if Roland proves himself but not now.

Guest (canon): I'm sorry to hear that, but I urge you to give both a try.

C.E.W: The stain of bastardy is such that Jon likely wouldn't do that until he felt it absolutely necessary.

WeylandCorp 4: Most either have Jon dying early on or just don't include him at all, but this is an Arryn fic, so he will have a place I can assure you. Roland is born after Robert and Brandon Stark, but the same year as (a few months before) Ned.

Marvelmyra: Wife 2 died in 270AC according to Crusader Kings, so unfortunately she'd dead. Don't worry, I've planned 20 chapters already and that won't be the end of the story, I need to finish things, it's my personality!

Guest (good start): Thank you!

Bane Of Snow: Here you are!