Time Rewinded
Chapter three
Winterfell Lord Eddard's Solar.
Eddard Stark had been more then a little surprise when he received a message from the King, he wondered why his friend wished to meet with him in his solar.
When he entered his solar the King lounged back in an over stuff chair nursing a goblet of wine while off to the side looking in to the fire stood Lord Tyrion, besides him fast asleep lay his lion which had grown even more and if he stood on his hind legs he would be taller then Tyrion.
"Ah Ned your here, tell him it's your idea" Groused Robert as he drank his wine, Tyrion turned around and looked up at Eddard and grinned at him, "Lord Stark, after much discussion several things have been decided" He said as he waddled over to another chair and pulled him self in it.
Eddard blinked "And what things have been decided?" He asked as he looked at his old friend who seemed to be working his way back towards drinking him self in to another stupor.
Tyrion nodded "Your Son Brandon will be fostered with Lord Howland for a few years, your youngest Daughter will be fostered at Bear Island, your oldest Son Robb will be married to Daenerys Targaryen when she and her Brother are Repatriated to Westeros, your oldest Daughter will fostered to Highgarden and betrothed to Lord Willas Tyrell the heir to Highgarden, they will wed when Lady Sansa is of marriageable age, my Nephew Tommen is to be fostered to Lord Stannis he is also betrothed to his Cousin Shireen" He said.
Eddard was floored, the matches were better then he could ever had hoped for but what had struck him was the Targaryen's "The Targaryen's are to be repatriated?" He said Tyrion nodded he looked at Robert.
"Yes the King and I talked, the dead are dead nothing can bring them back and I highly doubt if your Sister would want any blood shed in her name, it is not the Targaryen's fault who sired them, I told the King that Viserys has been trying to marry off Daenerys since she first flowered a few years ago, it is better that Daenerys is married to the Son of a man whom the King knows is loyal rather then her being married to some Dothraki horse Lord or a Slaver with thousands of Unsullied" Said Tyrion he then looked at Eddard.
"After a little discussion, before your Daughter Arya goes to Bear island she will fostered for a few years at Casterly Rock, she can learn a bit about Southern politics, maybe my Aunt Lady Genna can shove some Southern manners down her throat but from what little I've seen of your youngest Daughter the is unlikely, though my Aunt will enjoy the challenge, My Father would be willing to teach some one who is intelligent, he detests stupid people and your Daughter has a sharp mind that needs training and discipline my Father can provide that, just imagine what sort of Lady your Daughter could become with the skills taught to her by my Father in how to handle Bannerman and skills taught to her by the She-Bears of Bear island she'd have any husband wrapped around her little finger before the actual wedding" He chuckled.
Eddard blinked he didn't like the idea of any of his children in the care of Tywin Lannister he almost shuddered at her idea of his youngest Daughter in his care, he wanted protested when his thoughts were interrupted by Roberts deep snore.
He looked at his friend, then he looked at Tyrion "She'd be a hostage" Growled Stark, Tyrion sighed deeply "No she wouldn't if she didn't like Casterly Rock she could return home any time, and in a vision I saw my Father picked your youngest Daughter to be his cup bearer though he didn't know that his cup bearer was your Daughter, he actually liked her, in the future I saw your Daughter become a killer, she even has a list of people she plans to kill before the end she had crossed off quite a few of the names her self, she killed them her self with her own hands" Said Tyrion he looked at Eddard "Your family words are Winter is Coming well it is, if we are too busy fighting over things that was done to our family's decades ago then when the Long Night finale comes every one we love or have loved will die and it will not be pleasant for many of them, think of your people instead of your Northern honour and pride it will get you killed Lord Stark" Said Tyrion.
Eddard stared at the small Lord, before he slumped back in his chair and ran his hand over his face "Catelyn will hate it" He moaned Tyrion shrugged "Maybe you should read this, it arrived yesterday I've not showed the King yet" He said as he past a thick folded piece of parchment "It was sent via message and brought by ship by a trusted courier" Said Tyrion.
Eddard took the thick parchment and opened it, discovering inside six sheets of parchment "This is a copy though the signature is genuine" Said Tyrion as he sipped his wine.
Eddard read the sheets his blue grey eyes widening with each sentence, in fact he had to read it a few times, afterwards he sat back his eyes blinking with shock "Lysa arranged for Jon's death? With Littlefinger help?" He said sounding stunned Tyrion nodded "Yes, Littlefinger wishes to ignite a war between House Stark and House Lannister, he helps Lysa dispose of an unloved husband with the promise of marriage, he tells her to write to her Sister telling her that 'We killed Jon Arryn and that we intend to kill the King".
"This makes you suspicious of us, in my vision one of your younger Son's tragically falls from a tower that he had climbed a thousand times, my Brother had, had a fumble with a serving girl a few days before and a hair is left behind, the girl in question has light hair but because of her Sisters words your wife at once thinks that it must be a Lannister".
"When you leave for Kings-Landing your Son is in a coma when suddenly a hired footpad tries to kill your Son with a fine Valerian steel dagger that a certain Master of Coin lost in a wager, he lost it too the King and some how got it back he then pays some footpad coin and gives him the dagger which is worth more the man would ever get in a hundred years of thievery, your Wife goes to Kings-Landing and meets with her childhood friend who lies to her and tells her that he lost the dagger to me after all why would her old friend lie to her?" Said Tyrion as he let his words sink in.
Eddard was too stunned, he had never liked the flesh peddler, nor the thought that he had deep feelings for his Wife, Eddard shook his head "Why?, Why do all this, for what purpose?" Asked Eddard.
"The oldest reason in the known world, ambition and greed, Baelish wants too rule the Seven Kingdoms, but he can't do that with the Seven great families around, he arranged for war between House Stark and House Lannister.
After House Stark is weakened, Littlefinger would then arrange an alliance between House Lannister and House Tyrell via a marriage between Lady Margaery and the future King Joffrey, after awhile Littlefinger would arrange for something to happen to Lady Margaery this of course would ignite another war.
But Lady Olenna would make him change his plans, but Littlefinger always has a back up plan he 'helps Sansa escape Kings-Landing' and took her to the Vale, not long before this, Littlefinger had married Lysa Arryn".
"He told every one in the Vale that Sansa was his Bastard Daughter and that her name was Alayne Stone, he had her colour her hair a darker shade so no one would suspect who she was".
During this time Lysa Arryn shows her madness, after she witnessed Petyr Baelish kissing Sansa and not so innocently I might add, she confronts Sansa about what she saw, in her deranged mind she see's that Sansa threw her self at Baelish and accuses her of trying to seduce Baelish, she even calls her Catelyn, in her minds eyes Sansa had become her Mother whom had unknowingly rejected Baelish over twenty years before".
"She then threatens to throw Sansa threw the Moon door, she then confesses to killing her husband, Baelish finds her and acts all lovingly towards her, then with out warning pushed her out of the Moon door, he convinces Sansa to tell the Lord's of the Vale the Lysa committed suicide, out off an insane belief that Sansa or Alayne as every one knew her as fully intend to take Littlefinger from her".
Tyrion looked at the Warden of the North, the tall man looked like some one had slapped him around the face with a fish a few times.
Eddard leaned forward, and rested his elbows on his knees, and held his head in his hands and rubbed his face.
"Jon Arryn's Squire has confessed to poisoning Jon Arryn's food and wine, on the orders of Lysa Arryn and Petyr Baelish, he was promised lands, titles and gold, his name was placed in the lists at the Tourney held in your honour, he was put ageist Gregor Clegane, a death sentence".
"It would not be too hard for Littlefinger to bribe enough people to arrange for the newly knighted, knight to face The Mountain in a joust and every one knows that Clegane is a killer" Said Tyrion.
Eddard rubbed his eyes, he sighed deeply before he looked at Tyrion "What of Robin Arryn?, Is the lad safe?" Asked Eddard.
Tyrion sighed "For now, but in time once Littlefinger has the regency of the Vale in his grasp, he will have no need for young Robin and if Littlefinger married Sansa as a Cousin to Robin she was inline to inherit the mantel of Wardeness of the East, of course Harold Hardying, Jon Arryn's Great Grand Nephew would have to have a terrible accident or die of something like a pox or something" Answered Tyrion.
Eddard sat back and closed his eyes, too stunned to say anything more for a while he looked at his friend who was still snoring loudly, he sighed deeply once more.
"Also Lady Lysa's mind is unhinged dangerously so, she still breast feeds the boy, I don't know if the boy has every had a solid meal in his life" Said Tyrion.
"Lord Jon had wanted his Son fostered, but now the boy is the Warden of the East so it might be best if the boy was fostered by Lord Nestor Royce the High Steward of the Vale and Castellan of the Gates of the Moon, House Royce have been loyal to House Arryn since the House was founded and Lord Nestor is not overly fond of Lysa" Said Tyrion, Eddard nodded his mind still trying to wrap it's self around what had just been told to him.
There was no way by the Old Gods and New that he would every allow Lord Baelish to ever marry ether of his Daughters, maybe sending Sansa and Arya south would be for the best, Sansa to Highgarden and Arya to Casterly Rock who better to teach the two girl's the politics of the South then the power of the Westerlands and the Reach.
Eddard blinked a few times, he looked back at the parchments in his hands "What of Ser Hugh?" He asked.
"He will take the Black, by the time the King arrives back at Kings-Landing, Ser Hugh will be almost be at the Wall" Answered Tyrion, Eddard frowned "Other then Ser Hugh's confession there is no real proof, also that would start questions about who young Robins Father might be?, It would also become obvious that Lady Lysa's mental health is questionable, Lord Hoster is dying, this may even kill him, also would the King want the Realms to suspect that Lord Jon was cuckolded by his wife and a man whom he had raised for almost nothing to a position of power? Or would he perfer to honour the man who was a second Father to him?" Asked Tyrion.
Eddard realised a deep breath and nodded "He won't like it but I think once he's temper has cooled he'll agree" Said Eddard.
Eddard stood and poured him self some wine "Will you and your Wife journey to the Wall with us?" Ask Eddard, Tyrion nodded "Yes, my Wife and I would very much like to see the Wall" Tyrion smirked "Its the main reason I came, I fully intend to piss off the edge of the Wall, I'm sure the men of the Watch do it all the time but probably don't admit it" He chuckled as he sipped his wine.
"With your permission I would like to write to my Father, informing him or should I say warning him to Lady Arya being fostered at Casterly Rock?" He said his face straight, Eddard looked at the Little Lord and could not stop the laughter that bubbled up.
Eddard smiled and shook his head "Arya is not that bad!" He laughed as he wiped his eyes as tears of mirth leaked from his eyes.
Tyrion grinned at him and chuckled.
That night Eddard's and Catelyn's chambers.
Catelyn stared at what Eddard as he told her about her Sister, in her hand she held Ser Hugh's confession "This could be a forgery, Ser Hugh could have been coerced to put his name to this, the girls could be held hostage at Highgarden and Casterly Rock" She said desperately trying to hold on to what her Sister had written to her, though her Sisters mind had been seemingly broken for years, she truly wished to believe what she said about the Lannister's after all Tywin had wiped out two noble families for daring too try and take the Westerlands from House Lannister.
Yet what Eddard said about Petyr Baelish was true Jon had raised him from a powerless, little known family from the Fingers, it was distasteful that Petyr was brothel owner, she knew that Lysa and Petyr had lain together and Lysa had gotten with child, her Father quickly arranging for Lysa to marry Jon Arryn who was the same age if not older then their Father, she also knew that their Father had arranged for Lysa to be slipped some Moontea to abort the baby, after that Lysa seemed to change and Catelyn had to wonder was it being married to Jon Arryn or the loss of her baby from Petyr that had alternated her mind, though Lysa had always seemed to have been a little obsessed with the boy from the Fingers who had been fostered to House Tully.
Catelyn reread the confession, the more she read it the more she come to realise that her Sister had lied to her, to Catelyn's horror she remembered all the letter's she had gotten from both Petyr and Lysa over the last nineteen years, slowly it came to Catelyn that the pair had harden her heart towards Jon Snow, working on her fears of her Children losing their claim to Winterfell and the North, when in truth Jon had no claim and even if he did have any kind of claim it was way after Robb, Brandon, Rickon, Sansa and Arya and any children they had in the future.
She sighed and closed her eyes briefly before she looked at Eddard "But he wasn't coerced was he? Lysa murdered her Husband, I think she's mad and has been for some time" Said Catelyn sadly.
Eddard held her hand, "I'm sorry luv" He said softly.
Catelyn smiled weakly at her husband, she laughed wetly "Sansa wants me to plead with you to allow her to go to Highgarden after Lady Margaery told her she would love Highgarden, though I have to admit the idea of sending any of my children away feels me with dread, but it would be good for them and at least Robb and Rickon will still be here and Bran will only be a day or so journey away" She said.
Eddard smiled at her "And Princess Mycelia will be here for you to teach how to be a Northern Lady for when she is married Bran in a few years" He said.
Catelyn laughed at the idea of Princess Mycelia becoming a Northern Lady and the look on the Queen's face at the sight of her daughter wearing furs, leathers, cotton and wool instead of fine cloths and silks it was almost for that alone that Catelyn resolved to do just that, it was also the fact the Queen had barely concealed her disdain for everything before her, her older Son was the same though she had seen that the heir to the throne seemed more then a little scared of his much smaller Uncle after the diminutive Lord had slapped his royal Nephew in the court yard in front of every one, the Prince had been bullying his younger Brother about the way he wielded his sparing sword while he was sparing with Bran.
The two boys were having fun, while under the watchful eye of Ser Rodrik, Catelyn had been glad that Bran had some one his own age to play with, the two boys had become fast friends that would hopefully last a life time, she had been awfully tempted to ask Ned if maybe the younger Prince could be fostered at Winterfell for a year or so.
Catelyn had been shocked when she saw Lord Tyrion strike the Prince, his Sworn Sword didn't even move he just looked on, it made her think maybe this was not first time the small Lord had disciplined the arrogant Prince, the Prince thoughly chastised both checks red from the two slaps he had received quickly fled, his massive Sworn Sword just looked down at the Dwarf a smirk tugged at the taller man's scared face before he followed the Prince.
Prince Tommen beamed at his Uncle, before his Uncle waved him to continue his sparing lesson.
"Could Prince Tommen be fostered here for a year before he is fostered to Lord Stannis?" She suddenly asked, Eddard blinked a few times he looked at her, she grinned at him "He and Bran have become such good friends, maybe they will have the same friendship you and the King had when you were both younger?" She said.
Eddard thought for a moment, he was sure Robert would approve he wanted the alliance between House Stark and House Baratheon to be stronger then ever, a marriage and a life long friendship between his youngest children could achieve this.
"I'll ask him tomorrow, I can't see why he would not agree to it" He said Catelyn smiled and kissed him soon the kiss became impassioned the confession and the betrayals forgotten for a time.
Main hall the next day.
Robert stood at the high table to make some announcements "Lord Robb Stark is to marry the Lady Daenerys of House Targaryen, my younger Son is to be fostered here at Winterfell for two years then fostered till he reaches manhood with my Brother Lord Stannis at Dragonstone he is also betrothed to his Cousin the lady Shireen, my Daughter Mycelia will also be fostered here till she marries young Brandon Stark when they come of age, in two years Lord Brandon will be fostered to Lord Howland Reed at Greywater Watch until he reached his manhood".
"Lady Sansa will fostered at Highgarden and betrothed to Lord Willas, they will marry upon Lady Sansa coming to marriageable age, Lady Arya will be fostered at Casterly Rock for four years, she will then be fostered to House Mormont until she is of marriageable age".
"Lord Robin Arryn, Son of the late Lord Jon Arryn will be fostered to Lord Nestor Royce, who I appoint as Regent of the Vale till young Robin reaches his manhood".
"I appoint Jon Snow as envoy to the Wall, so that he may help us negotiate with the people beyond the Wall, the Septon's and Septa's have found information on great resources beyond the Wall that could help the Realms with the next Winter to come, I also appoint Lord Tyrion of House Lannister as High Steward of Kings-Landing and Castellan of the Red Keep" Said Robert before he sat down, the last thing he said was of great surprise as there had never been an office of High Steward of Kings-Landing or a Castellan of the Red Keep.
Cersei sat perfectly still as she stared at Robert, it was bad enough that she had to endure her only Daughter being sent away from her but her youngest Son being fostered and betrothed as well, her eyes went to Tommen who looked very pleased that he would be remaining at Winterfell, but she loathed the idea of a Stark being fostered at Casterly Rock, the younger girl was staring in surprise wither she was happy about it or not was unclear.
Her eyes went to her monster of a Brother who looked slightly stunned at what Robert had just said, yet Cersei didn't believe that he had not known what her brute of a husband was going to say after all he had spent several hours conspiring with Robert to take her children from her, she would write to her Father and tell him about what Tyrion had done, she knew her Father would not allow such decisions to be made with out consulting him first.
Cersei knew that all the betrothals concerning her children would be cast aside, also the whole idea of Robb Stark marrying a Targaryen was outrageous, the girl was a threat to House Lannister holding the throne, as well as those ridicules titles Robert had just invented and had given Tyrion.
Off to the side the New God's observed the mortals, it had been the Crones idea to convince Robert Baratheon to create the new offices that would allow Tyrion to effectively rule the Realms threw Robert and to tidy up the corruption that had taken root, as well as clean up the Small Council.
"A wise idea of yours Sister" Whispered the Smith as he ate a thick black sausage, the others nodded as they watched as Margaery kissed her husband congratulations on his new position at court, many of the men in the Great Hall cheered at the long deep kiss.
A few days later Casterly Rock, main dining Hall (A little lemon).
Lord Tywin Lannister, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport former Hand of the King unfolded one of two letters that had come from Winterfell, the first was from Tyrion the second was from Cersei.
After a short deliberation he decided to open Tyrion's letter first, he blinked as he read it, he found he had to read it a few times.
Besides him sat his siblings, Genna was spreading an extract of yeast over her warm toast while Kevin was eating a boiled egg, his wife Dorna was attending to their little Daughter Janei who was a little colicky.
"Is Tyrion complaining about his wife?" Asked Genna as she began to eat her toast, Tywin shook head "No, though he has arranged for several betrothals, Tommen to his Cousin Shireen, Mycelia to Brandon Stark, Sansa Stark to Willas Tyrell and Robb Stark to a recently repatriated Lady Daenerys Targaryen".
"He has also arranged for Tommen to be fostered first at Winterfell for the next two years before he is fostered with Stannis until he is of age to marry, Mycelia will also be fostered at Winterfell till she is of age to marry, Brandon Stark will be fostered in two years to Greywater Watch till he to is of marriageable age, Lady Sansa will also be fostered at Highgarden till she is of age to marry, Lady Arya will first be fostered here for four years before she is fostered with House Mormont until she is of marriageable age".
"Robert has created two new office's, High Steward of Kings-Landing and Castellan of the Red Keep, he has given these offices to Tyrion" Said Tywin.
Genna dabbed her mouth, she looked at the second letter "I take it the second one is from Cersei?" She asked as Tywin nodded and handed the first letter to her, Genna read the letter "Oh he is clever" She said impressed with what Tyrion had done "Its about time someone got those children away from Cersei, we don't need two more Joffrey's in the world one is enough" She said she raised an eyebrow "But why foster young Arya here why not Eddard Starks older son?" She asked as she sipped her wine.
"Lord Stark is about to leave Winterfell to take up the office of Hand of the King, so the boy is going to be the new Warden of the North" Answered Tywin, Genna nodded understanding.
Tywin broke the seal of Cersei letter already guessing what his only Daughter was writing to him.
As he read he resisted the urge to roll his eyes, in her letter Cersei accused Tyrion of conspiring with Robert and Eddard Stark in fact she seemed convinced of this and repeated it over and over again sometimes in the same sentence.
Tywin continued to read with each sentence convincing him that Cersei was being paranoid.
He looked up as he saw Genna hand the letter to Kevan, his Brother read it, grey eyes brows rising, Tywin went back to Cersei's letter he wanted to laugh at Cersei's paranoid ramblings, as her letter started to go on about how it seemed to her that Tyrion intended to kill her children and replace his children with the children he would have with Margaery.
Tywin shook his head, didn't Cersei realise that if her children died then Stannis would be heir and his Daughter after him, barring his wife having any surviving Son's, why couldn't she see the marriage between Tommen and Shireen would secure the Lannister hold on the throne for the next few generations, also Tyrion's new position also insured that House Lannister would have even more control over the Realms well as have almost complete control over the King, Tywin actually approved of Tyrion's actions.
Tywin finished reading the letter and handed to Genna, he was tempted to silently count down from ten but resisted the urge before she burst out laughing at Cersei's paranoid ramblings, Tywin sipped his wine as Genna continued to laugh she wiped an eye, she looked at Tywin her eyes sparkling with mirth "Gods is she mad! Tyrion doesn't have that kind of ambition!" She laughed as she shook her head as she went back reading the letter.
Genna was still chuckling as she read the letter, Tywin waited for his siblings to finish reading the letters, Tyrion had actually done more in the month he had been in Winterfell then Cersei had done in nineteen years.
After a short time the second letter was handed Kevan who read it his eye brows shot up even higher then they had the first time, he looked up at Tywin his mouth gapping like a fish "Genna is right, is Cersei mad?, Tyrion would do nothing that would get the children killed, he loves both Tommen and Mycelia like they were his own!" He exclaimed he looked back at the letter, he shook his head as he read.
"I noticed that there is no mention of the repugnant little shit Joffrey in any of the letters?" Said Genna.
"I don't think there are any Ladies of suitable birth and age left him to be betrothed to and he is the heir to throne he's place is supposable at his Father's side learning to rule" Answered Tywin with a slight roll of his eyes at the idea of ether Robert or Cersei teaching Joffrey how rule properly "I will write to Cersei and tell her that all Tyrion has done is for future of House Lannister and meets with my full approval" He said.
"But why foster Lady Arya here?, Why not simply foster her with the Mormont's right now instead of four years from now?" Asked Kevan after he finished the letter.
Tywin shook his head he was curious as well though the idea of instructing a young mind in politics and turning a young person in to an intelligent adult who understood the importance of duty to family and loyalty as an excellent challenge considering this young person was of House Stark, though honourable the Starks were not the most politically aware House in Westeros.
"No doubt you will have to instruct Lady Arya in Southern manners" Said Tywin to his Sister, Genna nodded "I wonder if she is like her Aunt Lyanna?" She wondered Tywin frowned.
"Well we'll see in a month when Jamie escorts Lady Arya here before he makes his way back Kings-Landing, if she is anything like Lyanna mayhap she could be given instruction in blade work and maybe even basic health care" He said.
Tywin didn't think woman should be excluded from learning basic self defence skills as well as basic health care such learning which herds could be made in to sources of pain relief and salves, after all one day Lady Arya will one day marry, no doubt a Northern Lord and the Northern Lords are on occasion known to knock lumps out of each other, and some times people died of injury's that could have been easily treated.
Though Tywin had not had Cersei taught how to use a blade after all she was to be Queen and had guards to defend her as well as Maester's to give medical care.
As for not teaching Cersei blade work he was glad, no doubt she would have used the skills to kill Tyrion while he was in the crib.
He did not approve of Kin-slaying, it dishonoured the House in question.
Genna grinned "I'd wager she is just like her Aunt, I'll have cloths made for her which will make her comfortable, I truly doubt if the girl likes very girly things, I think she would be more comfortable in breeches and tunic rather the a dress" She chuckled.
Tywin shook his head, though he had heard of Lord Selwyn the Evenstar of Tarth, who's only Daughter was a highly skilled Swords woman, maybe Lord Selwyn could be convinced to send his Daughter to Casterly Rock to instruct the Northern girl in blade work, and no doubt the idea of a woman instructing her youngest Daughter would put Lady Catelyn at ease as well.
After they broke their fasts the three siblings went about their daily duty's in the Rock.
Tywin went to his Solar, he pulled out a small sheet of parchment and wrote a quick message to Lord Selwyn concerning his Daughter, once he was satisfied with the message he had it sent at once via Raven to Tarth.
He then pulled out larger sheet of parchment, he thought for a moment before he began to write to his Daughter, no doubt she would hate the fact that he was doing nothing to thwart Tyrion's supposed threat's to her children.
Once he finished writing to his Daughter, he pulled out a second sheet and wrote to Tyrion approving of what he had done to help the family and informed him to keep him informed of the future dealings with the people beyond the Wall, if there were any resources of great value then House Lannister would be interested in any trade agreements that may come out of such dealings, after all much of any new trade would come threw Kayce and Lannisport.
Once he was satisfied with the letters he sealed them, he handed them to a trusted courier, who would take the letters via ship, in the letter to Tyrion he informed him that he was emptying the dungeons of both Lannisport and Casterly Rock and was going to send messages to all his Bannermen telling them empty theirs, as well as send some supplies to the Wall to help with the new influx of men that they would soon get.
Tywin sat back and thought, now he only had to get Jaime to leave the Kings-guard, once that was done the legacy of House Lannister was secure, maybe he could ask Tyrion to convince Jaime to leave the white cloaks and take his rightful place as heir to Casterly Rock.
If he could not convince him when he came in a month, he would ask Tyrion to convince his Brother to do his duty, though in all honesty Tywin knew that if by some miracle Jaime did leave the White cloaks it would be Tyrion who would rule the Westerlands threw Jaime.
Tywin knew that Jaime would appoint Tyrion as Castellan of the Rock as well as his principle advisor.
He sighed deeply, he summoned his guard and gave him his instruction, the guard left Tywin leaned back deep in thought, a few minutes later a secret door opened Tywin looked up he smirked as he saw what his guard had brought he nodded in approval.
His eyes roamed over the dark haired woman, "Leave us" He commanded the guard bowed and left leaving the woman behind she waited for the guard to close the door "How may I serve you My Lord?" She asked Tywin smirked as his green eyes roamed over her.
"Have you lain with that brute of a husband recently?" He asked she looked at him "Yes My Lord a few days ago though I took Moontea as always" She said Tywin nodded in approval he stood and walked over to her, once in front of her he reached out and with ease undid her dress it slide to the floor and puddled at her ankles, he frowned as he saw a few bruise's marring her other wise perfect body "I think the man is due for another flogging" He growled as he stroked her breast "As My Lord commands" She gasped as a hand slide between her thighs.
Tywin smirked as he pulled her up ageist him and crushed his mouth ageist hers, he slowly manoeuvred them both towards his bed, he briefly thought of having her husband sent to the Wall but he knew he would have to have a better excuse then the fact that the man once in a while beat his wife, who was also Tywin's sometime Mistress, he had to settle for the man at some point doing something that would earn him a flogging though considering the man question, it shouldn't take too long.
Winterfell a couple of weeks later.
Every one was preparing to leave, the King, Eddard, Tyrion, Margaery, the Queen, Joffrey, the Hound were leaving for the Wall, where as Garlan, Willas, Septa Mordane and Sansa were taking a ship to Oldtown, Arya and Jaime were heading towards Casterly Rock.
Jaime had in his position a letter to their Father that had proof of Tyrion's vision of the future, Jaime had been quite shocked when Tyrion informed him secretly that the mines under Lannister control were near depletion, Tyrion informed his Father that he wanted Castamere and the surrounding lands and the ruins Tarbeck Hall as well as the lands as a wedding gift, he would have Tarbeck Hall reconstructed and Castamere drained and extraction of the gold and silver begun as soon as possible.
Tyrion had talked Jaime into giving up the White and to except being their Fathers heir once more, even before their Father had sent his letter.
Jaime looked over to Arya Stark, her Mother was fussing over her, she kept repeating to her that if she didn't like her time at Casterly Rock she could return any time.
Besides the girl stood her increasingly large Direwolf, it would be strange to have such a creature at Casterly Rock though compared to the Lion that stood by his little Brother, the large Direwolf looked almost like she was the size of a common wolf.
The Lions head was starting to sprout his mane, at the moment the Lions head looked rather fuzzy.
Lady Margaery was talking to Tommen, though the boy was happy to be spending two years at Winterfell with his new best friend Bran, he was still saddened to see his family leave, he was consoled by Margaery that he still had his Sister with him.
Cersei was standing off to the side, she refused to show any kind of emotion besides her was her Daughter, once in awhile Cersei would say something to her Mycelia, the look on Cersei's face showed that she didn't like what Mycelia said in return.
Joffrey was off to the side as well though he was not talking to any one The Hound stood behind the Prince looking bored.
Jaime sighed deeply, Cersei had been livid when he told her that he would leave the Kings-guard and become their Father's heir and return to Casterly Rock, Cersei had told him that if he did that then their Father would find him wife, she had tried to convince him not to leave her alone, she told him they belonged together, but nothing she said would convince him to stay, after that she refused to say anything more to him but told him that this was as always Tyrion's fault, he hadn't liked the look in his twins eyes when she had said that.
He had warned Tyrion to watch out for Cersei, Tyrion had looked at his brother and simple grinned and pointed to the scar that crossed his face and told him that he got this threw someone acting on Cersei's order in his vision of the future, but promised his Brother he would watch out for Cersei.
Jaime sighed again, it was almost time to go.
From a nudge from Tyrion, Jaime walked over to Tommen to bid him fair well, the young Prince threw his arms around his Uncle and gave him a hug.
After several fair wells a few of them quite tearfully, the parties left Jaime and Arya would travel to Oldtown with Sansa and Margaery's Brothers and then would set sail for Casterly Rock.
Tyrion sat on his horse in his special saddle, besides him sat Margaery, Jaime had been surprised when Tyrion had shown him an axe that he had commissioned from Winterfell's armorer, it was a simple battle axe though it was made of the best metal available to the highly skilled smith, Tyrion had also had a dagger made for Margaery in case she had need of it during the journey to the Wall, though the chances of them being attacked were unlikely but it was good that Tyrion was not taking any chances.
Essos, Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis's palace.
Daenerys Targaryen looked at the Narrow sea out of sight sat her true home, Illyrio had brought to her a message from the Usurper, it was a chance to return home though not as royalty but as a member of yet another high born family, in exchange for her and her Brother being repatriated back to Westeros a marriage was arranged for her.
She would marry Robb Stark, Lord Eddard Starks oldest Son and heir of Winterfell and the North, Illyrio told her that Robb Stark was the same age as her self and was thought to be a rather attractive young man though he favoured his Mother's Tully side more then his Father's.
Daenerys knew her Brother would never except anything less then his restoration to his throne, but Illyrio had not shown her Brother the message yet.
She knew there were worse people to marry, Robb was at least the same age as her and he was the heir to the biggest of the realms of Westeros, she sighed deeply she turned and looked at the merchant "How long will it take for me to arrive at Winterfell?" She asked Illyrio thought for a moment before he spoke "With good weather just over a month or so your Highness" He said Daenerys gave a small laugh "Lady Daenerys, Illyrio if I except this offer" She said.
"Do you wish to except?" He asked her.
Daenerys turned and looked back out the window.
"What are the chances of my Brother getting the throne back and living long enough to beget any heirs?" She asked.
"Most unlikely, he has too much of his Father in him and the people will see that" Answered the fat merchant, Daenerys sighed deeply "Where is my Brother right now?" She asked Illyrio sighed deeply Daenerys rolled her eyes, she knew where her Brother was, he was throwing what little money they had left on ether expensive whore's in one of the high end brothels or gambling it away.
She took a deep breath, for once she was going to make a decision with out her Brother's approval, she turned and looked at Illyrio "Send a message to King Robert saying that I Lady Daenerys Daughter of Aerys Targaryen except his Grace's generous offer" She said Illyrio gave a bow "Shall I have the servants begin packing your belongings, I have many contacts in the city, your Brother can easily be distracted and thus delayed long enough for you catch the ship to Westeros on the next tide" He said.
Daenerys nodded, she was going to Westeros and she was going to be free of her Brother a soft smile crossed her face, for the first time in a very long time she thought she may actually be happy with her future.
Several hours later on a ship heading towards Westeros.
Daenerys stood in her cabin, she watched as Pentos grew distant, she doubted if she would ever see it again, she also doubted she would ever see her Brother again, to him she was just something to sell to get his throne back, he blamed her for not being born earlier, she always found that odd how could she control when she was born.
With a deep sigh she turn away from the port hole and her past.
A couple of hours later, Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis's palace.
Viserys strolled in to the palace as though he was the Master of it, his belly was full of good wine, he had been having a bad night at cards earlier in the evening but this soon changed and his luck improved greatly, his Sister's door was closed.
He resented that he had to spend what little coin he had on her.
She also killed his Mother, he would never forgive her for that, it was yet more proof that everything that was wrong with his life was her fault in his eyes.
As far as he was concerned everything that had gone wrong in their family was to her fault, if she had been born thirty five years earlier then their Brother would not have had to take a wife who was not a full blooded Targaryen and only had the distant blood connection of being a great, great, great, great Granddaughter of Aegon the fourth.
If she had been born earlier, then Father would not have been forced to marry his heir to some one inferior to him, had he not been so desperate for a Daughter to marry his elder Son, then he wouldn't have allowed to Tywin Lannister to make him appear weak instead of the strong King that he was.
Viserys walked to his chambers, he would deal with Tywin Lannister, he would make all the Lannister's pay, of course Tywin and Jaime would pay with their lives, Tywin's daughter would become his mistress and he would Father bastards on her, of course all her spawn by the Usurper would have to be disposed of, maybe he would simple have the whole male line of Lannister's made extinct, the women were of non-use and were no threat, he thought the Tywin had two Sons but thought that the second Son had died not long after his birth.
Robert Baratheon would have to die as would his Brothers and any children they had, the Starks as well after all they made up that disgusting lie about Rhaegar kidnapping Lyanna, why would he kidnap her, he was the heir to the throne he could command her to his bed, such a woman should have felt honoured that her Prince wished to lay with her at all.
Once the Starks were all gone, he would crush the North as Aegon the conqueror should have done three hundred years before, Viserys grinned as he in versioned his destiny.
He almost took pleasure in the idea of his Sister being sold off to some savage, it would never be enough to pay back what she had done to his family but it would be a small start, after all him taking back the Iron Throne was more important the his Sister's happiness or her well being.
Viserys was still in visioning what he would do to all those who had betrayed his family over the years, some real some imagined by the exiled King, suddenly there was a knock on his door.
"Yes!" He yelled the door opened to reveal Mopatis, Viserys supposed he would have reward the merchant for his part in getting him his throne, but he wouldn't want the fat merchant to ever forget that he was King and he could order his head for any slight to his royal person.
"Forgive the intrusion your Grace, but this came" Said Mopatis.
Viserys saw a thick folded sealed parchment in the fat merchants hand "Who's it from?" He asked.
"I believe it bears the seal of The Usurper" Answered Mopatis, Viserys stared at the parchment he frowned "You open it! The Usurper is not above using poisoned ink!" He said.
Illyrio resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the paranoia of the Mad Kings surviving Son, though he would admit that in away Viserys was right Robert Baratheon was not above using poisoned ink he just thought it was beyond his grasp to think of such a thing, Tywin Lannister was also not above using poisoned ink, but he would not risk such a thing as it might be linked back to him, the same could be said of Olenna Tyrell the true power of the Reach.
With ease Mopatis broke the seal that he himself had placed on the parchment after he had removed the already broken seal and placed a new seal on it.
"It is from the Usurper your Grace, it seems he is offering both your self and your Sister repatriation to Westeros, in exchange your Sister will be married to Eddard Starks oldest Son and heir Robb Stark, and your self will be given a newly reconstructed Summer Hall for your keep and of course you will be allowed to collect the revenues from your lands and small folk" Said Mopatis.
Viserys blinked shocked, he stepped forward and tore the message from Mopatis's hand he read the message "He dares to offer me repatriation to my own Kingdoms!, I am the King of Westeros! He thinks I will allow my Sister to marry a traitors Son! I decides who will marry my Sister! Not that murdering fat bastard! How dare he assume to think he can offer anything other then what is mine by right of blood!, Summer Hall belongs to my family any way! I bet this was Tywin Lannister's idea!, Yes I see it, we except this offer and I am murdered and Tywin says that I planned treason! That bastard!, I will make him pay for this outrage!" He screamed as he tore the parchment to shreds giving him self quite a bad parchment cut.
"Damn it!" Hissed Viserys as a thin line of blood appeared on his hand, Viserys picked up an inked and dirty rag from his desk and put it over the bleeding hand "Shall I send for a Maester your Grace?" Asked Mopatis, Viserys shook his head "No it's fine!" He hissed as he pressed the filthy cloth to his bleeding hand.
He should have allowed Mopatis to send for a Maester.
A week later Viserys was in bed with a high fever, his hand an angry red and swollen to almost three times it's size, a Maester had finally been sent after the exiled King had past out.
The Maester informed Viserys that he was like this due to the infected parchment cut he had on his hand, the Maester then told him it was infected because something dirty had been placed on the cut and had not been cleaned later.
Mopatis showed the Maester the bloody, filthy ink rag "Could this have caused the infection Maester?" Asked Mopatis, the Maester help the rag and wrinkled his noise, the rag even smelt dirty "Very likely" He said he shook his head as he looked down at the Beggar King.
"If I take his hand, it might save his life but there is a strong chance that the infection is in his blood already it will simple delay it a little while" He said Viserys was a gibbering wreck of a man "How long does he have if you don't take his hand?" Asked the merchant.
"A day maybe two" He said simply.
Mopatis looked down at Viserys, the exiled King lay in sweat soaked red sheets, many things had changed in the last two months, with Daenerys now on her way to Westeros to marry a mere Lord and by relinquishing her birth, so many of plans that had been put innocent over the last twenty years were now useless.
From the information Varys had sent him, it seemed that Lord Tywin's far smarter Son had actually managed to achieve a way of restoring order to the Realms, there was denying the fact that Robert was a well loved King, better loved then Aerys had really ever been, yet the man had no idea how to rule, it was only threw Lord Jon Arryn's wise council and guidance that the Realms had not fallen deep into chaos, yet even Lord Jon had not been able to stop the rot from getting in to the Small council as well as the many offices that helped the Realms function.
It was not that the Warden of the East had been a weak man by any means, it was the simple fact really that Lord Jon was a man of honour, and was a very trusting man, almost too trusting, not to the point of being naive but he some how believed that when a Knight or a Lord told him something he would believe them on face value, in that sense Lord Jon had been a very old fashioned person.
Mopatis sighed deeply, he would have liked to restore the Targaryen's to the throne but fate it seemed had other plans, though maybe with Lord Tyrion guiding him maybe the Realms could be saved from itself, after Lord Tywin had served Aerys for twenty years and the Realms had never been stronger, it seemed to go all wrong when Aerys insulted Tywin one to many times and he resigned as Hand.
He would have to have Varys to keep an eye on Lord Tyrion, he maybe just what was needed.
After much thought and discussion, it was decided it was kinder to slip Viserys some Milk of the Poppy and let him cross over to what ever came next.
Once he was dead, new plans were put into place to help prepare for the War that was too come.
Done!.
Tyrion and party journey arrive at the Wall, Sansa arrives at Highgarden, Arya arrives at Casterly Rock and meets Tywin and Brianne of Tarth, Daenerys arrives at Winterfell and meets her future Husband.
I'm trying to decide if Joffrey will slip off the Wall in front of Cersei or not, I don't know what do you think?.
Chapter four should be up in a few days, I will update my other stories but this one is demanding to be completed so I may just concentrate on this till until I finish it, any way, does any one have any other ideas on how Joffrey will die I'm leaning towards him slipping off the Wall, but does any one have any other ideas on how Joffrey should die, stepped on by a Giant? Eaten by the Thenns? (Not sure if it's the Thenns who practice cannibalism), impale him self in a hay fork? I don't know tell me your thoughts.
Please review!.