Disclaimer: I don't own a Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones

A/N: Initially this story wasn't supposed to be updated until Saturday/Sunday but since I won't get any time to write on the weekend, except for Sunday night, I have released it early. However I will be updating two chapters this week, albeit short ones and so this is the first. The next chapter will be put up on Friday or Sunday night.

This is the shortest chapter that I have ever written and to be honest, I really struggled to write these P.O.V's. Hopefully the Friday or Sunday update will be a major improvement.

Chapter 10 – Tywin Lannister/Kevan Lannister

Tywin P.O.V

"Very well, I have decided." Tywin informed his grandson.

The head lion of the Lannister clan watched his grandson suck in his breath and waited for his answer. Tywin found it rather difficult to get a good read on his grandson. Perhaps if he had spent more time at Kings Landing, observing his grandchildren then he would have a better read on Steffon. At first glance he reminded him of his son Jaime, although he probably wasn't quite as talented with a sword as his son. However it seemed that they had the same attitude when it came to fulfilling their family obligations, preferring their own personal interests.

A painted canvas, Tywin had to resist letting out a disbelieving snort when he heard it. The boy was fourteen, he could easily be dyed the right colour. However Tywin wasn't sure if it would be worth the effort to try to convince Steffon since he had failed to convince Jaime for the last twenty years to take up the position. Still, the boy said that he would take the position if he was forced to but Tywin wasn't sure that it would be the best for someone with that kind of attitude to take over without gaining something that they wanted. That brought Tywin up to the betrothal of Steffon and Arya Stark and it was obvious to the elderly lion that Steffon was already smitten with this Arya Stark.

The way that he had described the reason why he wanted to keep his current engagement made Tywin think briefly of his dead wife. He could remember vividly at how he felt towards Joanna and he considered allowing Steffon to keep the betrothal. By giving him that concession, Steffon should be able to take up the position willingly, it would be a small price to pay.

That was until he heard the biggest revelation of the day and that was Steffon's statement about Joffrey being the second 'Mad King' that had clouded his perception of Steffon. Suddenly Tywin had to consider that this 'Jaime like' attitude of his was just an act.

He never liked Aerys II Targaryen after he took liberties during his wedding with Joanna but the seeds of hatred were planted when Aerys had snubbed his proposal of Cersei marrying Rhaegar. It all came to a head when Aerys made Jaime a Kingsguard, not because he thought his son deserved the position, but because he knew that it would anger him and hurt his house's reputation. The moment that Aerys opened the gates to allow Tywin and his forces into Kings Landing during Robert's Rebellion, the old lion didn't hesitate to sack the city.

If Joffrey was truly like the 'Mad King' as Steffon believed him to be, then there was no doubt that Steffon would try to gain power in order to keep Joffrey under control. Yet, Tywin would have thought that accepting the position to become the next Lord of Casterly Rock would be sufficient. However the answer became clear to Tywin when Steffon mentioned that he was the only male that really gave Tommen any attention.

After hearing that, Tywin came up with a theory. If he could control Tommen, then Steffon wouldn't need the title as he would rule through Tommen. There was another powerful seat that Steffon could still acquire and that was the seat of Storm's End. Renly Baratheon was the current ruler of Storm's End but he was 24 years old, with no wife and no heir.

Tywin didn't know Robert Baratheon that well. He didn't like him that much either, he kept patting him on the back whenever they met. His daughter kept in touch with him from time to time and purely from what Cersei had told him, he believed that if Steffon asked for Storm's End, then Robert would give it to him. That meant that Steffon would not only have control of the Baratheon forces, but he would be married to Arya Stark meaning that he would also have the Stark and Tully forces aiding him. Add the Lannister army by controlling Tommen and Steffon would have a powerful force at his command.

Steffon was far more cunning than he had previously thought but Tywin could still see a fatal flaw in his plan. Unfortunately for Steffon, Tywin fully intended to exploit it. That was one the assumption that Joffrey truly was the way that Steffon had described. For all he knew, this was all a trap but he was no fool, so he would begin to lay the groundwork slowly until he could be sure that Steffon was telling the truth.

"Before I give you my decision, answer some of my questions." Tywin ordered calmly, "What makes you think that Joffrey is going to become like Aerys?"

"At the age of nine, he cut open my cat just to see the unborn kitten." Steffon informed bluntly, "He has bullied Myrcella and Tommen countless of times and he gains unmeasurable delight in seeing other suffer."

Tywin didn't give a response to that and instead asked his next question, "If you feel so strongly about this, then what are you going to do about it?"

Steffon didn't answer for a few moments and he finally admitted, "Getting Tommen out of Kings Landing and I'm still working on getting Myrcella out."

"Joffrey wouldn't be foolish enough to hurt his own kin." Tywin said coldly, almost scoffing at the thought. Surely the next king wouldn't be foolish enough to attack his own kin.

"If you say so," Steffon muttered quietly.

"That will be all! You will return to Kings Landing." Tywin informed him causing Steffon's eyes to rise in surprise, "I will name Tommen my heir and he will be expected to be here within the month. Go!"

Steffon didn't hesitate to stand up and bow to him. He then spun around and he quickly headed out of the room. Tywin stayed still for a few moments, staring at the door to his office. It looks like Steffon believed that he had simply dismissed his concerns about Joffrey, just like he intended. The first thing that he would do when Tommen arrived was to break the hold that Steffon had on him. Second of all, he would need to begin preparations should Steffon's belief to be true and there was only one way he could control Joffrey.

He would need to become Hand of the King.

Kevan P.O.V

Kevan had been pacing the corridor for the last twenty minutes, waiting for Steffon to come out of the meeting with his older brother. He had to feel for his young great-nephew being alone with his older brother. Tywin could intimidate even the most dangerous men in Westeros, so it would be quite daunting for a fourteen year old boy.

"You're going to wear that rug out, Kevan." Genna walked into the corridor, with an understanding smile on her face.

"I can't help it." Kevan admitted, "I do not envy Steffon's position right now."

"He'll be fine," Genna assured him, "you made sure that he was prepared on the way here."

That was true, Kevan conceded. Not long into the journey to Casterly Rock, Steffon requested to know more about his grandfather and Kevan was more than happy to tell him as much as he wanted. The main point that he made sure that Steffon understood was that Tywin would do anything to protect and/or further the family's reputation. Kevan quickly spun around when he heard the door to Tywin's office open up and Steffon walked out, looking relieved.

"How did it go?!" Kevan hurried over to him. "Have you accepted the position?"

"I would have, if grandfather didn't accept one of my proposals." Steffon informed him.

"Proposal?" Kevan questioned him curiously.

"Yeah," Steffon replied with a guilty smile, "I may have convinced him to make Tommen his heir instead of me."

"You did what..?" Kevan gaped at him but he didn't have long to ponder this as he felt a shiver go down his spine. He turned back slightly to see Genna with a dark expression on her face.

"Steffon Baratheon!" she said furiously and Kevan noticed Steffon tense up and bow his head, "You are Tommen's big brother! How could you be so selfish to send your little brother into the lion's den?!"

Kevan knew why his sister was having such a bad reaction to Steffon's actions. He could still remember the day clearly when his father announced that Genna would be marrying Emmon Frey. It was such a poor match, but with the exception of a few, nobody spoke out against it except for Tywin.

"Every little girl and even most boys need their older brothers to look out for them!" Genna snapped at him, "You go back in there and take the position that should be yours!"

"No, I will not." Steffon said firmly, looking up into her eyes. His strength surprised Kevan, "I am looking out for Tommen."

"You have a funny way of showing it!" Genna retorted angrily.

"I have to side with your aunt on this one, Steffon." Kevan said disappointedly. He knew what it was like to have an older brother that he respected and admired, and he didn't know where he would be if Tywin had thrown him into the lion's den like Steffon had just done to Tommen. Kevan stepped up willingly to help Tywin after his older brother lost his wife and even though doing this he would mean that he wouldn't get any lands of his own, Kevan didn't regret it for the moment. It seemed that Tommen wouldn't get the same experience as he did.

A steely look appeared on Steffon's face, one that Kevan had never seen before and judging by the startled look on Genna's face, neither had she.

"I know what I am doing," Steffon coldly informed them, "and even if I tell you why, you wouldn't believe me... no one does." With that, Steffon stormed off and he didn't look back.

"Have you ever seen him like that?" Genna questioned him when Steffon was out of sight.

It wasn't Kevan that answered her.

"There is more to that boy than we have realised." A cold voice answered her. Kevan and Genna turned to see Tywin exiting his office.

"Kevan, escort him back to Kings Landing and bring Tommen back." His older brother ordered him. "I need to begin training my heir immediately. Also inform Cersei, privately, that when Joffrey eventually becomes king, to make me his hand."

Kevan didn't hesitate to obey the order. No doubt Genna would try to inquire about the reasons why Tywin has agreed to Steffon's proposal and he would hear about it later. The main thing that he was curious about was what Tywin had just told him. Kevan resolved himself to try and find out some of Steffon's secrets on the way.

End of Chapter

If you like it, then please review the chapter. If you don't like it, then don't read it.

To be honest, I didn't like this chapter at all. One: it's too short but unfortunately not only do I not have time this weekend to write as much as I would like, but I can't really think of ways to extend these P. . I think it would be safe assume that you won't be seeing many more chapters with Tywin and Kevan P.O.V's. Second: I don't think I managed to keep them in character as much as I would like. The only thing that I hope is that I managed to show how different Tywin's thinking is to everyone else's. While everyone thinks of Steffon to be selfish and uninterested in accepting his responsibilities, Tywin assumes that there is more to Steffon than meets the eye. Is he right? You'll have to wait and see.

As for the poll: It is quite clear that both stories should just remain the same and so there will not be any changes!

Answering the Readers:

Q: is there a public reason you have for only one update every 6 weeks?

A: The reason why is that I have 5 other stories to update. At least with this schedule, I'm keeping the updates for each story consistent.

Q: I also wondered, Tywin will make one of the children of Cersei's heir Casterly Rock but Robert will happen to one of them heir to Storm End?

A: As Tywin thinks in this chapter, if Steffon asks for Storms End, then Robert will give it to him. Would that happen? Yes, if Steffon asked his father for Storms End, then Robert would give it to him without hesitation. It is no secret that Robert doesn't really get along with either of his brothers and he gets along with Steffon. Will Steffon get Storms End? I'm not telling.