Her Answer
"I'm asking you to marry me," said Lord Tywin quietly, watching her face for a reaction.
Ailyn's eyes went wide in surprise. She suddenly felt very warm and a buzzing filled her ears. Ailyn could have sworn the ground was shifting beneath her feet though neither of them moved.
"You're…but…my lord, we disagree on everything!" she exclaimed as her brain tried to start working again.
"If I want blind agreement and thoughtless consent, I'll look to my Small Council. I need someone to disagree with me," said Lord Tywin, not letting go of her hands even though she had taken a small step back.
"Does your family know about this?" asked Ailyn, suppressing a shiver at the idea of Cersei finding out her father was proposing marriage.
"Kevan knows I intend to ask you. I see no reason to make it public until I have an answer from you," replied Tywin, growing a little anxious at her continuing hesitancy.
"I…" began Ailyn but then stopped, unsure of what to say. Her head was spinning with a thousand questions and no answers.
She looked down to the side and then into the flames, clearly distressed.
"My lady, before you answer, I wish you to know that I am making you an offer. You are free to refuse without fear of retaliation from me," Tywin assured her, trying to help her in her struggle.
She met his eyes gratefully.
"Thank you," she whispered.
His face fell a little.
"Is that a refusal?" asked Lord Tywin, a sudden vulnerability tingeing his tone.
Ailyn quickly looked up at him and pressed his hands.
"No."
She looked away for a moment to gather her thoughts and then back up at him.
"But nor do I feel able to accept without thinking this through. Please don't be offended," she pleaded as his grip on her hands loosened.
He looked away from her for the first time but not for long.
"I was hoping you would answer tonight but I can't say I'm surprised that you wish for time to consider. You have never acted rashly," said Lord Tywin.
She smiled at him.
"I would prefer to speak to my father but I won't ask you to wait that long. Will you let me come to you tomorrow night with an answer?" she asked hopefully, searching his face.
Lord Tywin nodded.
"Thank you for your forbearance," Ailyn said softly.
Lord Tywin slowly lowered their hands and reluctantly let hers go. He seemed to want to say something else but he did not speak. Instead, Lord Tywin raised a hand and gently touched her cheek with his fingertips, his eyes unfocused. Ailyn leaned into his hand slightly to show that she didn't mind but her movement recalled him to the present. He took his hand away and retreated a step. Tywin respectfully inclined his head to her and then turned to go.
"Lord Tywin?" said Ailyn as he started moving toward the door.
He paused and turned to look at her expectantly.
Ailyn went to him and said quietly, "Regardless of my reply, my lord, I want you to know that I will never regret walking into your camp."
"You enjoyed being dragged around in the cold and mud for a month?" he asked, his expression softening into mild amusement.
"No. But I am the stronger for it," she replied in earnest.
Tywin nodded and looked down at the floor for a moment.
"This war has cost far more than I anticipated. Some of its disadvantages are beginning to outweigh the advantages," said Lord Tywin, more thinking aloud than speaking to her.
He looked up pointedly at her and added, "But I count meeting you among its highest advantages," said Lord Tywin sincerely.
Ailyn blushed.
"You are too generous, my lord," she replied with a smile.
"It's the truth," insisted the Lord of Casterly Rock, without affectation.
She could only smile and nod.
"Good night, my lord."
"Until tomorrow, my lady."
When he had gone, Ailyn drew in as deep a breath as she could and reached out to steady herself on something. Gana and Din were suddenly at her side, leading her to a chair.
"My lady! You must be so pleased. And you didn't think he would ask you!" whispered Gana excitedly.
"Wine," Ailyn managed, her voice croaked. "I don't think it's excitement that's making my hands shake."
Din left her to fill a goblet.
"There's so much to consider and his proposal was so sudden that I'm having a hard time believing it," muttered Ailyn, taking a long drink of wine.
"We both heard him, my lady," said Gana, still excited.
"And this morning, he was so angry and now tonight…" Ailyn trailed off.
"Perhaps he talked with someone?" suggested Din quietly.
"He did shout for Ser Kevan as I left him," recalled Ailyn.
Ailyn shook her head.
"Thank you both for being with me but now I need some time to think," requested Ailyn gently dismissing them for the night.
Both girls curtseyed to her and turned down her bed in case she decided to sleep.
Ailyn got up and began pacing around.
There would be no going home if she agreed to marry him. It could be years before she saw Willow Glen again. Ailyn desperately wanted to speak to her father but she had a feeling she already knew his opinion. Lord Darren hadn't been good enough for her but she doubted he would have any objection to wedding her to the most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms.
Ailyn paused in front of the table with her flowers on it. He was still sending her lavender and now there was a fresh red rose paired with it every day. She touched the petals absently. She didn't doubt that he cared for her but he still frightened her. It was one thing to argue with the Lion but what if she went too far one day; before she knew what he would stand from her and what he wouldn't. Ailyn couldn't bear the thought of him threatening everything she held dear in order to teach her obedience.
There would have to be rules, at least at first, until they were more used to each other.
Ailyn stayed awake long into the night, considering, deciding until finally, a few hours before dawn, she forced herself to go to bed. She struggled to picture Lord Tywin sleeping next to her and failed; she always thought of him sleeping alone.
It had been reassuring to have Lord Darren sleeping beside her. Ailyn hoped it would be the same with Lord Tywin.
The guard outside the Hand's chambers turned and entered the room to announce her presence when she arrived that evening. Ailyn waited in the doorway though she could see Lord Tywin and Ser Kevan speaking together near the Hand's desk. He dismissed the guard with his hand and his brother with a nod of the head. Ser Kevan smiled warmly at her as he left and she returned it.
At least one member of the Lannister family won't hate me.
Ailyn steadied herself and entered the room, moving to stand before Lord Tywin. He looked pleased to see her but there was a small amount of trepidation in his eyes as well. She smiled and curtseyed to him.
"Good evening, my lord," she heard herself say out of habit.
"My lady," was his measured response.
"Have you made a decision?" he asked after a moment, when she failed to speak.
Ailyn looked into his pale green eyes and prayed that she was making the right choice.
"I will accept your offer, my lord," she began, pleased by the immediate quirk at the corner of his mouth that passed for a smile, "but there are some things I would like to discuss before we make it known to the public."
His eyes searched her face, his grim countenance descending once more.
"Tell me, what do you fear the most about joining yourself to me?" asked Tywin curiously, before she could speak.
"I remember what you said the first night I was in camp with you about women and their purpose. What I fear most is being tucked away and ignored until I'm wanted to please you. I don't want you to treat me like that," replied Ailyn softly.
"It would be a callous waste to treat you like that. As the wife of the Hand, you will have certain responsibilities but I know you to be capable of far more than the average woman," Tywin assured her.
Ailyn smiled.
"I should like to have a contract of sorts drawn up between us so that everything is clear. If I should outlive you, it is my wish that your possessions will pass to your children. Not to me," requested Ailyn firmly.
Lord Tywin frowned at her.
"And leave you with nothing? Why would you wish for that?" asked Lord Tywin, his displeasure increasing.
"Please, my lord, let me speak. We don't know each other very well and from what I know of your family, I only ask for this to protect myself," explained Lady Ailyn, hoping to temper his anger.
"Protect yourself from what?" demanded Lord Tywin.
"At the very least, from your children. If you marry me, you threaten their legitimacy and inheritance. Your daughter in particular, will not stand for that, especially if she feels her son's claim to the throne could be called into question," replied Ailyn.
"Cersei is already aware of what will happen to her if she harms you in any way. I will not tolerate her petty jealousy," said Lord Tywin firmly.
"I'm afraid I must insist," Ailyn said softly.
"Many would consider marrying me to be extremely advantageous and yet you appear to gain nothing by it, if you have your way," protested Lord Tywin, still confused.
Ailyn smiled at him.
"I am trying to make a point to you and anyone else that cares to comment on our union."
"And what is that?" growled Tywin Lannister, trying not to lose his patience.
"I'm not interested in the throne. I don't want power; I don't want Casterly Rock and I don't want your money."
If anything, this confused the great lion even more.
"Then what do you want?" he asked, trying to understand the creature in front of him.
"You," said Lady Ailyn simply.
It hurt her to watch him try to reconcile the idea that his possessions were separate from himself, that they did not define who he was.
"I want the right to stand beside you, if not as your equal, then as your partner. You are tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding the Seven Kingdoms and uniting them under your sigil. I want to help you do this in any way I can. I want you to share your troubles and concerns with me when you feel able. I want you to trust me," Ailyn requested, trying to gauge Lord Tywin's feelings.
She could see his jaw working. Tywin dropped his gaze down to his desk and then turned around suddenly, his head still bowed. Ailyn watched his shoulders rise and fall a few times, as though he was taking deep breaths. She waited patiently. After a moment, he looked off to the right and held out his hand for her. She gave him her hand and let him move her around to face him again.
"You must be patient with me," said Lord Tywin quietly.
"And you with me," she added with a smile.
Tywin clasped both her hands in his and then shook his head.
"I will leave provisions behind for your care if you should outlive me. I will not disinherit my children but you will be provided for. This is non-negotiable," insisted Lord Tywin, meeting her eyes again.
"Very well, I can accept that," Ailyn conceded, nodding.
"What else?" he asked.
"If you are giving me leave to disagree with you in the hopes that together, we can come to a more satisfactory solution than apart, I want your word that if I go too far, or cross some line with you, that you will forgive me. I was frightened of you this morning, my lord. If I marry you, you cannot threaten me or those I care for," Ailyn said, squeezing his hands.
"I have a temper but I promise you, I will never raise a hand against you," swore the Lord of Lannister.
"Or my maids," she was quick to add.
"Or your maids," he agreed.
"Do you have requests to make of me, my lord?" Lady Ailyn asked, looking up at him.
"While I wish you to speak your mind with me in private, you will not disagree with me in public. We should present a united front to others for the sake of the throne," said Lord Tywin.
"I understand," Ailyn answered.
"Also, I will listen to your thoughts on many things, my lady, but not my actions as a parent. Until you are one yourself, there will be things you cannot understand," said Lord Tywin quietly, not wanting to cause her pain.
Ailyn swallowed and asked hesitantly, "And if I become a parent, the child will be a hawk?"
"A lion," corrected Lord Tywin. "As a third born son, there will be no contention about the inheritance of Casterly Rock."
Ailyn smiled at his assumption that any child she had would be a boy.
"We will discuss that more if needs be," she suggested, not wishing to fall out over something that might never happen.
Lord Tywin nodded and pressed her hands.
"Are you agreeing to marry me then?"
"If, after all these stipulations, you still wish for my hand, I will give it and gladly," vowed Lady Ailyn, smiling.
Lord Tywin stood up without a word and helped her to her feet. He placed her hands on his chest and gently cupped her face in his hands. Tywin drew her close to him and kissed her lightly, awaiting her response to his actions. Ailyn sensed his hesitancy and pressed her lips more firmly against his. The lion made a soft noise in his throat and shifted one hand to the back of her head and the other around her waist so she was leaning into his chest. Ailyn slid her arms up and wrapped them around his neck. Lord Tywin tightened his grip on her but Ailyn broke the kiss and pulled back a little as his pin scratched her.
"Your pin," she said breathlessly, touching the small red mark it had made on her chest.
The Hand relaxed his arms slightly so he could look down at her. Ailyn cheeks were flushed, her grey eyes sparkling in the candlelight. She raised her hand and gently touched his prickly stubble.
"Your face is rough, my lord," criticized Lady Ailyn.
"Tywin," said the Lord of Casterly Rock.
Ailyn frowned in confusion.
"You've just agreed to marry me. When we are alone, use my name," requested Lord Tywin.
Ailyn smiled.
"Your face is rough, Tywin," Ailyn repeated.
"Then I shall shave…Ailyn," he responded, testing her own name without a title.
"Are we telling anyone tonight?" asked Ailyn, not taking her hand away from his face.
"Yes, I will gather my family. And perhaps my Small Council should know as well," said Lord Tywin.
Lady Ailyn nodded and prepared herself for the variety of reactions they were likely to receive.
Lord Tywin called for his cupbearer and sent the young man off to gather his remaining family.
"Out of curiosity, which of the gifts pleased you the most this past week?" questioned Lord Tywin, leaning on his desk beside her.
"They were all extremely generous gestures," Ailyn began with a smile, "I am looking forward to the books, when things have settled down, and the dress."
Tywin made a thoughtful noise as he studied her.
"If you are asking which gesture meant the most to me, it was the archery lesson," Ailyn clarified.
Lord Tywin's gaze sharpened. It was not the answer he had been expecting.
"Why?"
"I remember your disapproval when you discovered I used a bow and I am sure, deep down, you still disapprove of my using a weapon. But despite your own feelings, you offered the lesson to me anyway because you knew it would please me. I appreciated that the most," Ailyn told him affectionately.
Lord Tywin regarded her thoughtfully.
"Someday, I may figure you out," he said.
"I look forward to your future efforts," replied Ailyn with a smile.
There was an insistent knock on the door, and Lord Tywin's cup bearer came in to say his family had been gathered.
"Bring them in," ordered Lord Tywin, standing up straight beside Lady Ailyn. "I will speak for us."
Ailyn nodded and fixed a smile on her face.
Ser Kevan and Lady Genna were the first ones in, followed closely by Ser Jaime and Queen Cersei. Ser Kevan and Lady Genna looked pleased but the twins did not; Jaime looked nervous and Cersei's expression was sour.
"I summoned you here because I have an announcement to make. Lady Ailyn and I are going to be wed," said Lord Tywin in a tone that brooked no contention.
Kevan broke into a huge grin and Lady Genna clapped her hands excitedly a few times before wrapping Ailyn in a warm hug.
"Congratulations, my dear," she said quietly.
Kevan moved forward to shake his brother's hand but the twins did not move.
Jaime looked surprised but Cersei was furious.
"How dare you!" she snapped angrily, glaring at her father. "How dare you betray our mother's memory for this…this…" the Queen gestured agitatedly at Lady Ailyn.
"Cersei…" began Lord Tywin sternly, narrowing his eyes at her.
"You disgust me," hissed the lion's daughter, and with that, she turned on her heel and fled the room.
Jaime watched her go and looked back uncertainly at Lord Tywin. Without waiting for an order from his father, Jaime turned to leave. It was Ailyn who went to him.
"Please, Ser Jaime, I would not have you think of me as a threat. I am not trying to replace your mother or take away your birthright," said Ailyn quietly, looking up at the unsmiling knight.
"Good. I think it would be awkward if you asked to be called 'mother,'" replied Ser Jaime with his usual dry humor.
"I would like you to call me 'Ailyn'. At least, to my face," she finished with a gentle jibe.
Her remark was rewarded with a half grin. He looked at her for a moment and then said appraisingly, "You seem happy."
"Why shouldn't I be?" asked Ailyn with a gentle shake of her head.
Ser Jaime glanced back at Lord Tywin who was speaking with his sister but he was paying attention to them as well.
"If I were going to marry my father, I would be terrified," confided Ser Jaime in a low voice, bending down a little closer to her.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, my lady, I should go find my sister before she sets half the palace on fire."
Ser Jaime bowed politely to her and then swept out before she or anyone else could stop him.
Lady Ailyn looked after him as he left, unsure of what to make of the son's opinion of his father.
"Give him some time, my lady, he will come around," Ser Kevan assured her gently, coming to stand beside her.
"I don't blame either of them for their feelings, Ser Kevan. I know I would have thrown a terrible fit if my father had told me he was going to remarry," replied Ailyn turning to her soon to be brother-in-law.
"I can't picture you throwing a fit, Lady Ailyn," said Ser Kevan shaking his head with a smile.
After they had exchanged several more kind remarks, Lady Genna and Ser Kevan left and the Small Council members slowly came into the room. Lord Tywin related the news to them as well.
"Congratulations my lord, you have made an excellent choice," simpered Pycelle, bowing to both of them.
"Indeed, my Lord Hand, Lady Ailyn will look exquisite on your arm," rejoined Lord Varys politely.
"Pray, when are the nuptials to take place?" inquired Lord Baelish with a smirk that Ailyn didn't care for.
"In a few weeks," answered Lord Tywin, without looking at Ailyn.
It took every ounce of her self control not to look up at him in shock. She kept her eyes on Lord Baelish and her smile did not waver.
"I see. We shall begin preparations tomorrow then. Come, we should leave them to enjoy their newfound happiness," continued Lord Baelish with an annoying mixture of bravado and innuendo.
The instant the door closed on them, Ailyn looked up at him, her eyebrows raised.
"I do not recall discussing a date," said Ailyn pointedly. "I haven't even told my father yet."
"Lord Silvyn is aware of my wish to marry you," said Lord Tywin simply.
"What?" gasped Ailyn, a sinking feeling filling the pit of her stomach.
"I sent him a raven yesterday informing him of my intentions," explained Lord Tywin with mounting confusion at her agitation.
"How could you do that? Tywin, don't you realize what that must look like to him?" demanded Lady Ailyn, trying to keep the panic and annoyance out of her voice.
"I don't need your father's consent. I am hardly an untested boy with his way still to make in the world," Lord Tywin informed her.
"But in my last raven, I told him I expected to be sent home soon. And now he has one from you saying you intend to marry me? He will think you are forcing me," Ailyn retorted seriously, trying not to wring her hands.
Lord Tywin frowned.
"Then send him one tonight telling him the truth," suggested Tywin, still unruffled by her concern.
"It will reach him a day from now at the earliest. He will not get it in time," said Ailyn more to herself than to Lord Tywin. She started pacing nervously in a small circle.
"In time for what?" queried the Hand of the King.
Ailyn stopped pacing and rounded on him.
"The minute he reads that message from you, he will sail for King's Landing with half his fleet. He could be here in two days to hold you to your word that you will release me," Ailyn told him.
The Lord of Casterly Rock's frown deepened and he clasped her upper arms gently.
"He will not take you from me," growled the lion possessively.
Ailyn slowly put her hands on his neck, her thumbs brushing against his rough cheeks.
"He will not come for a fight. You must remember that. My father won't want anything except to know that I'm safe," pleaded Ailyn, looking earnestly into his eyes.
Tywin nodded against her hands.
"We will deal with it when he arrives. I will tell our scouts to watch for his ships and the roads too as a precaution," agreed Tywin.
Ailyn shook her head at him.
"Your actions affect both of us now. You promised to include me in your decisions, Tywin," said Ailyn, concern radiating from her expression.
"I have spent the last few decades not including anyone in my decisions. It will take me some time to adjust to waiting on your input, Ailyn," Tywin Lannister reminded her.
"We will have to be patient with each other," realized Ailyn, letting her hands slip back down to his chest. "This won't be easy."
"No, it won't. But I promise, you will not regret it," Tywin assured her fervently.
Ailyn smiled up at him, kissed him lightly and then had to stifle a yawn.
"I didn't get much sleep last night," said Ailyn softly, putting her hand over her mouth.
"I would ask you to stay but I know you won't," replied Lord Tywin, with a hint of affection.
Ailyn shook her head, still smiling.
"Then get some rest, my lady," Lord Tywin said. Ailyn noted the change in his inflection on the possessive; as though he was proud of the fact that she was his.
"Good night, my lord," she replied, using the same emphasis.
She slipped out of his grasp and almost made it to the door before he stopped her. Lord Tywin spun her around and pressed her up against the door without violence. Ailyn's eyes went wide in surprise but before she could ask him anything, he kissed her again. She was thankful he was holding her up against the door; she didn't trust her legs to bear her weight. Ailyn was relieved to find that, even though she was surrounded by him, his body, his scent, his presence, she did not feel threatened or nervous.
"I didn't mean to worry your father," apologized Lord Tywin softly, above her head when he pulled back.
"I know. He'll only do what you would do if your situations were reversed. Except he won't burn King's Landing to the ground when he leaves," murmured Ailyn, hanging onto his waist for support.
"I wouldn't…" began Lord Tywin but she pressed a finger gently against his lips.
"Yes, you would," she insisted, laughing a little.
The side of his mouth tugged a little as he looked down at her.
"Dinner tomorrow?" she asked.
"I want to see you before dinner. We have much to discuss."
Ailyn nodded and without one last smile at her future husband, slid out of his arms and went back to her room.
Author's note: Apologies for all the fluff but this is where it would happen, if anywhere. I should clarify that, if I haven't mentioned a character yet, (i.e. Dany, Jon Snow, Arya, the Martells etc.) as much as I love all of them, they will not exist for this particular story. I don't feel capable of keeping track of the Dickensian amount of plotlines. I am focusing on the Lannisters and their struggle to rule in this story.