Lord Silvyn Arrives
"Am I betraying him, Gana?" asked Ailyn, early the next morning. She and her maid were sitting at the table, breakfast was before them but Lady Ailyn wasn't eating.
"Betraying who, my lady?" asked Gana, concerned.
"Lord Darren. By marrying Lord Tywin, I…am I betraying him?" whispered Ailyn, looking down at a bowl of strawberries without really seeing them.
Oh, my lady, it isn't like that," began Gana but the worried look in Ailyn's eyes stopped her.
Gana reached across the table and rested her hand over Ailyn's.
"Do you remember the conversation you had with Lord Darren the last time he was badly wounded?"
Ailyn pressed her maid's hand and then looked to the side, searching her memory.
"He said that, if one of us should die early, that the other had a duty to remarry," recounted Ailyn softly.
"He did not want you to spend the rest of your life alone, Ailyn. You are following his wishes by marrying Lord Tywin," insisted Gana gently.
Ailyn's eyes darted around the room making her look like a trapped animal.
"He knew how much you loved him but now you must make room in your heart for another. Above all else, you know Lord Darren wished you to be happy and with Lord Tywin, perhaps you will find happiness again," offered Gana kindly, trying to allay her mistress' uneasiness.
"You don't regret your decision to marry him?" asked Gana cautiously, after Ailyn nodded but did not speak.
Ailyn looked at her friend and said firmly, "No."
Gana smiled.
"Then you must eat something and quickly. It's already late morning and I'm sure Lord Tywin wishes to see you," instructed Gana, patting Ailyn's hand and rising to pick out a dress for her.
Ailyn obediently selected a few honey cakes and a small pile of strawberries to have with her cup of tea.
Gana chose Ailyn's grey gown for the day and had just finished putting the last pin in Ailyn's hair when there was an urgent knock on her door. Din moved swiftly to answer it. Lord Tywin strode in as soon as Din opened the door, without waiting to be announced.
Ailyn stood up and went to him.
"Lord Silvyn's ships have been spotted several miles down the coast. It appears you were right," said Lord Tywin without preamble.
Ailyn smiled and shook her head.
"It's a good thing I didn't ask for more than a day to consider your proposal," said Ailyn ruefully.
Lord Tywin didn't speak but managed to look mildly apologetic.
"Come with me to the Small Council room. We can watch the harbor from the balcony and when your father arrives, we will meet him in the Throne room," explained Lord Tywin.
Lord Tywin started to turn away but she stopped him with a light hand on his arm.
"Remember what I said, my lord. He is not here for a fight. Please don't treat him with hostility," pleaded Ailyn.
Lord Tywin removed her hand from his arm but kept hold of it.
"I will treat him as his conduct warrants. Come," he beckoned, gently tugging on her hand to move her forward.
With a mild sense of foreboding, Ailyn followed her prospective husband out of her room and walked with him down to the Small Council chamber where they were met by the Small Council, Ser Kevan, Ser Jaime and a handful of guards.
"Good morning, my lord, my lady," began Lord Baelish bowing low to them, the rest of the Small Council following suit.
"Baelish," acknowledged Lord Tywin, reluctantly letting go of Lady Ailyn's hand and then turning abruptly to his son, Lord Commander of the King's Guard.
"Jaime, take some men and send word to Lord Silvyn that his ship may pass into our harbor but the others will keep a respectful distance. When he docks, escort him to the Throne," ordered the Hand of the King.
Ser Jaime inclined his head and left without saying a word to his father, taking the rest of the guards with him.
"Kevan, is the King on the throne?" asked Lord Tywin, turning to face his sibling.
"Yes, my lord, and his wife is with him as well. The King's Guard, City Watch and a small retinue of Lannister soldiers are waiting in the throne room as well," offered Ser Kevan, with a kind nod to Lady Ailyn.
"Is all that really necessary?" asked Ailyn worriedly.
"A show of strength is seldom unnecessary. I am not taking any chances," said Lord Tywin firmly.
"If I might, my lord hand, why is Lord Silvyn sailing on us with a large fleet?" asked Lord Varys respectfully.
"A small miscommunication, Varys; my lady assures me that he is not here to threaten the throne," replied Lord Tywin, taking Lady Ailyn's hand again and walking with her to the balcony.
Lady Ailyn stood quietly at Lord Tywin's side while they waited. She wanted some assurance from Lord Tywin that he would not attack her father but she knew he would not promise her that, not if his own was in danger. Ailyn let out an anxious breath and continued looking out at the harbor. She saw Lord Tywin glance at her out of the corner of her eye but he did not speak. After what seemed like an age, they watched Lord Silvyn's ship glide into the harbor.
"Come, we should be standing by the throne when Lord Silvyn is ushered in," said Lord Tywin quietly, turning to her.
Ailyn nodded, unable to speak and followed Lord Tywin to the door. The Small Council fell into step behind them and walked with them to the main hall.
Many members of the court had gathered and were standing behind the guards lining the path to the throne. Lord Tywin frowned when he saw Queen Margery and his daughter seated on either side of King Tommen. Ailyn stopped a few feet behind Lord Tywin as he strode up to his daughter and told her to stand.
"You will stand off to the side, Cersei. The king should not be flanked by women," said Lord Tywin firmly, taking his daughter by the elbow and moving her away from her seat.
The obsolete queen narrowed her green eyes furiously but did not speak back to her father. Instead, she shot a look of pure poison at Lady Ailyn and went to go stand beside Lord Baelish, still scowling.
Lord Tywin paid no further attention to his slighted daughter once she had left and bent down to speak quietly to the King. Then he straightened and tensed, clasping both hands behind his back to wait. After a brief pause, the lion looked to the side and then back at Lady Ailyn, motioning her forward with his eyes alone. Ailyn complied and moved to stand again at his side, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. She knew her father could be stubborn and she knew something of Lord Tywin's temper; she hoped it would not go badly between the two most important men in her life.
The court waited in tense silence for the arrival of the Hawk. Suddenly, the main doors opened and Ser Jaime escorted her father into the room, followed by her uncle and two dozen men. All of them were armored except for Lord Silvyn. He was well dressed, in fine robes of deep blue and grey, his sword belted at his side. He was a tall man, though shorter than Lord Tywin, with raven black hair that had gone grey at the temples. Ailyn smiled warmly at him and when he saw her, relief flooded into his own blue eyes. Ser Jaime walked her father up to the bottom of the steps before the throne and announced him to the king.
King Tommen bobbed his head in recognition of Lord Silvyn's low bow and Lord Tywin inclined his head as well.
"Your Grace, my Lord Hand, I thank you for giving me an audience," began Lord Silvyn respectfully, his eyes remaining on Lord Tywin as he spoke.
"There was little choice to the contrary, my lord," remarked the Hand dryly.
"I humbly ask that you forgive my abrupt arrival, as I come bearing gifts," replied Lord Silvyn smoothly, standing a little to the side as two of his men brought a wooden chest forward and set it before the throne.
"These are the taxes Willow Glen owes to the crown one year in advance, paid in full," explained Lord Silvyn as his men retreated to positions behind their lord.
From the corner of her eye, Ailyn saw Lord Tywin give the chest a calculating look.
"My daughter made mention of a slight food shortage in the capitol as well, so I have taken the liberty of filling one of my ships with grain, fruit and animals to be distributed among the people as you dictate," continued Lord Silvyn, inclining his head to Ailyn as he mentioned her.
Ailyn glanced up at Lord Tywin with trepidation to catch a mildly annoyed look from his pale eyes but he did not speak to her.
"Finally, when I leave here, five of my ships will stay behind on loan to the crown for its protection until your own fleet can be rebuilt," finished Lord Silvyn watching Lord Tywin's reaction.
Tywin Lannister's face betrayed nothing of his feelings about Lord Silvyn's display of generosity. Instead, he straightened slightly and said, "And in return for these gifts…" letting the sentence trail off into the hall.
The benevolence left Lord Silvyn's countenance and, in a hard voice, he demanded, "I would have my daughter back, my lord."
Ailyn drew a nervous breath and looked from her father to Lord Tywin, who was clenching his jaw. She wanted to touch his hand and speak to him but she couldn't do that here, not in front of the entire court.
"Due to a slight miscommunication, my lord, it appears you are laboring under a misapprehension. Its resolution would best be suited to a private conversation rather than in front of the throne. His Grace will take your gifts under consideration," announced Lord Tywin with finality.
"If you will follow me, my lord, we will continue this conversation in my chambers," said Lord Tywin, looking to the side and holding out his hand for hers. Ailyn glanced up at him, still too afraid to speak, and placed her hand in his. They walked down the steps together, Ailyn smiling all the while at her father, that she was caught slightly off guard when Lord Tywin drew her back around to face the throne again. He made a stately bow to the King, and Ailyn quickly curtseyed, the ridiculousness of the great Tywin Lannister bowing his head to a little boy flashed through her mind as she stood up straight again. Cersei was still glaring angrily down at Ailyn and when Ailyn turned around, she caught the same look of suspicious hatred passing between her uncle and Lord Tywin. Tywin kept hold of her hand as they walked down the aisle followed by several members of the King's Guard and then her father and his knights.
As they neared his chamber and hers, Lady Ailyn made herself speak.
"Lord Tywin, might I speak with my father alone for a few moments?" she asked quietly, looking over at him.
Lord Tywin met her gaze, his eyes a question.
"It's just…I haven't seen him for several months. Please? I will be brief," she promised him.
He paused at the staircase that led up to his chamber and the hallway that led to hers.
"Very well," Lord Tywin consented, slowly letting go of her hand and turning back to his guards and Lord Silvyn. The King's Guard immediately parted and stood off to the sides of the hall so Lord Tywin could see Lord Silvyn a few yards back.
"Your daughter wishes to speak with you, Lord Silvyn. Ser Jaime will escort you to my chamber when your conversation has concluded," Lord Tywin said, motioning her father forward.
"Thank you, my lord," said Lord Silvyn respectfully as he walked past Lord Tywin to stand with his daughter.
Lord Tywin nodded and with one last look at Ailyn, started up the steps with his guards in tow. Only Ser Jaime remained behind with as many knights as Lord Silvyn had, and followed them to Ailyn's room.
Before they went inside, Lord Silvyn turned to his brother.
"Keep the peace, Garrick," requested Lord Silvyn.
Ser Garrick nodded though his hand stayed on the hilt of his sword as he shot a look at Ser Jaime.
Lord Silvyn took Ailyn by the arm and led her into the room. Both waited until the doors were closed and then Ailyn threw her arms around her father's neck and he hugged her fiercely.
"I missed you so much," whispered Ailyn into her father's shoulder.
"I was so worried, Ailyn. I should never have agreed to let him take you. Please, forgive me," replied Lord Silvyn quietly, pulling back from her so he could drink in her face.
"It was the right thing to do at the time. I don't regret it and neither should you," insisted Ailyn firmly.
She looked at him a little sadly and gently touched the large patches of silvery grey hair around his temples.
"You've been worrying too much. I sent ravens as often as I could, informing you that I was well," said Ailyn, following her father out to the balcony.
Lord Silvyn whistled loudly and then turned to his daughter.
"I know the letters were in your hand but how was I to know if the words were truly yours or if you were taking dictation from Tywin Lannister?" asked her father in a pained voice.
Ailyn smiled sadly and nodded.
"I see why you would think that but it was not the case, I promise you," Ailyn assured him.
Lord Silvyn gave her a searching, paternal look and then held out his arm as a large brown hawk swooped down. He quickly attached a small message to its leg and then sent it off in the direction of his ships.
"I'm simply sending word to my men that all is well… thus far," answering Ailyn's unasked question.
Lord Silvyn led his daughter back inside, and with a kind smile at Gana and Din, resumed speaking urgently with Ailyn.
"Has he hurt you?" demanded Lord Silvyn.
"No father, he hasn't. Please believe me when I tell you that, while he was not always civil to me, he never behaved dishonorably toward me," Ailyn informed her parent firmly, deciding not to mention the kiss Lord Tywin had stolen in Harrenhal.
Lord Silvyn did not look convinced.
"Ailyn, I heard so many rumors, accounts, that you were sharing his bed…" Lord Silvyn went on, a mixture of fear and pain apparent in his blue eyes.
Ailyn vehemently shook her head.
"We shared a tent in the camp, not a room or a bed. In Harrenhal, we shared a suite of rooms, of which I had my own. He never indicated by words or actions that he wanted me in his bed," Ailyn insisted again.
"Ailyn, I want you to tell me the truth, even if you think it will hurt me," said Lord Silvyn, clasping her upper arms and bringing her closer to him.
"Father, I swear on mother's life that I am telling you the truth," repeated Ailyn, trying not to get annoyed at her father's disbelief.
Finally, Lord Silvyn seemed to relax a little. He let go of her arms and looked down at the floor for a moment before continuing.
"So what am I to make of his last raven saying he intends to marry you? What is he holding over you?" asked Lord Silvyn quietly, meeting her eyes again.
Was Lord Tywin so certain that I would not refuse him? wondered Ailyn silently. How much had her opinion really mattered?
"Father, please, I know this will be difficult for you to believe but, he is not holding anything over me. He made it clear that he was asking for my hand, not commanding it," Ailyn explained softly, pleading with her father to believe her.
"Then he has fooled you. Tywin Lannister doesn't ask. He may have made it look like you had a choice but you never did. He sent that raven before he even mentioned his intentions, didn't he?" demanded Lord Silvyn starting to pace around.
"I wasn't aware he had sent it or I would have asked him not to until I had written to you. Regardless of how it happened, he did ask me to marry him and I agreed," said Ailyn firmly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Lord Silvyn continued to pace around, still thinking.
"I should go to his chamber soon. He is not a man to be kept waiting," muttered Lord Silvyn distractedly.
"Are you displeased with the match?" asked Ailyn cautiously.
"Displeased? No. My daughter has been asked to be the wife of the Hand of the King. That should be any father's proudest moment," said Lord Silvyn, running his hand through his graying hair.
"Father, I know you never thought Lord Darren was good enough for me. Surely Lord Tywin, despite his faults, is worthy?" reasoned Ailyn.
"Ailyn, you don't know half of the things he's done. I've never understood how he has managed to flourish in the south. The man has ice running through his veins instead of blood. And, despite his cold disregard for anyone who doesn't bear his name, he's been a widower for a generation and now, after knowing you for less than four months, he wants to marry you?" said Lord Silvyn thinking out loud as he turned to face his daughter.
Ailyn looked away from her father for a moment.
"I don't agree with all the things he's done but I understand why he did them. He cares fiercely for his family, though sometimes it is hard to see. And as for me, father, you raised me to be smart, levelheaded and resourceful; all traits he admires. Perhaps he simply hasn't met another woman with all those qualities," posited Ailyn, not liking how boastful it made her sound.
Lord Silvyn regarded his daughter thoughtfully.
Ailyn took a deep breath and tried again.
"As long as you swear not to repeat this, I think one of the reasons he wishes to marry me is simply because he doesn't want to be alone any longer," Ailyn said quietly, with a glance at the doors as if she might be overheard.
Lord Silvyn glanced out the balcony, a sad look passing over his face.
"That at least, I can sympathize with," murmured the widower.
"Can you promise me that he will never hurt you? I will not abandon you to him if he is going to mistreat you," asked her concerned father.
"I already have a promise from him that he will never raise a hand against me or my maids," answered Ailyn promptly.
Lord Silvyn looked at Ailyn, a small smile quirked at the corner of his mouth.
"You are a hawk, my daughter, and you have risen higher than I could have imagined. If it truly is your wish to marry him, I will give you my blessing," consented Lord Silvyn, looking lovingly at her.
Ailyn smiled and went to kiss him on the cheek, crushing him in a hug.
"Will this make you happy?" whispered her father into her hair.
"Yes, I think it will," admitted Ailyn nodding into his shoulder.
"Very well. Then, I will go speak with him," said Lord Silvyn, stepping back from her. He left the room and her Uncle Garrick came in.
He grabbed her in an even tighter hug than her father had.
"Ailyn, what's this business about then? This lion wants to marry you?" demanded her uncle, looking down intently at her.
"Yes, he does and I wish to marry him," replied Ailyn, with an indulgent smile.
"I can't say that I'm any too pleased. He is a bit of a scoundrel, Ailyn," grumbled her uncle.
"So are you," retorted Ailyn with a friendly laugh.
Ser Garrick broke into a wide grin.
"That I am. I was looking forward to running him through rather than shaking his hand as a brother-in-law," said her uncle, his hand on his sword hilt again.
"I promise you, that won't be necessary, uncle. Please try to be civil with him. For me?" pleaded Ailyn, looking up at her burly warrior of an uncle.
Ser Garrick sighed.
"For you, anything, my little niece. But I'm keeping a close eye on him while I'm here," vowed her uncle firmly.
"I would expect nothing less," she said with a smile.
Ser Garrick nodded and then grinned as a sudden thought occurred to him.
"Though, I rather like the idea of you taming a lion."
Ailyn was about to deny that she had come even remotely close to taming Lord Tywin when her uncle waved her off.
"If you'll excuse me, I'd best go keep an eye on those Lannister guards out there," growled her uncle striding to the door.
Ailyn fondly shook her head at his retreating figure and then settled in to wait for her father's return.
After an hour, she grew a little anxious and started pacing around.
Then another hour passed. And another. And another.
"What is going on up there?" Ailyn burst out as Gana brought in some dinner.
"No idea, my lady. But they are still talking, not fighting, which is good for you," replied Gana, trying to calm her mistress down.
Ailyn ate a little, watching the sun dip lower and lower in the sky.
Finally, when it was nearly dark, there was a knock on her door.
Ailyn ran to it herself and pulled it open.
Her father was standing there with her uncle and a few guards.
"Well?" she asked as her father came in.
"You were right Ailyn, he is impressed with you. We have a few more details to discuss but your engagement is now official. Congratulations, my dear," Lord Silvyn told her affectionately, hugging her close again.
"Thank you! But what were you talking about for so long?" Ailyn couldn't resist asking as she let go of her father.
"We can discuss it tomorrow. Lord Tywin wishes to see you and I am going with your uncle to find some comfortable rooms and several large flagons of wine," muttered her father, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
Ailyn frowned at him in confusion. Her father was not prone to drink.
"Why?" she wondered.
Lord Silvyn looked at his daughter in surprise.
"Ailyn, if Tywin Lannister is to be my son-in-law, I'm going to need a drink," replied Lord Silvyn.
Ailyn laughed and then her father kissed her lightly on both cheeks and nudged her out the door. She watched as her father and uncle headed off with their men, talking between themselves. Lady Ailyn turned and flew up the steps to the Hand's chamber where the guard announced her.
Lord Tywin was standing in the middle of the room, hands clasped behind his back, looking pleased. Ailyn ran to him happily and just as the door closed, she threw her arms around him. Lord Tywin did not react immediately, her sudden fervor catching him off guard but soon, he curled his own arms around her and held her against him.
"It's real now," she breathed into his chest and then pulled back a little to look up at her lion.
Lord Tywin, gave her his usual half smile, and laid a hand gently against her cheek.
"You are mine."
Ailyn smiled against his hand and responded playfully, "I seem to recall already having a conversation with you about ownership, my lord."
The half smile faded from his face as his eyes flitted over her features, suddenly serious and a little nervous.
"But you are mine," reasserted Lord Tywin holding her closer.
He took his hand from her face as she reached up to him. She liked the way his sharp eyes went a little hazy when she cupped his cheek.
"Yes, my lord; I am your lady," Ailyn assured him, gently brushing her thumb over his cheek bone.
Lord Tywin clutched her tightly and kissed her until she pleaded breathlessly for air. When he reluctantly let her leave for the evening, Ailyn walked lightly back to her room, happier than she had felt in several years.