Lord Tywin Lannister

King's Landing was humid, in the grips of summer and the heat was nigh on unbearable. The members of the court sweated and panted their way through the days, and it was only the royal family who seemed immune to the heat, walking around as if they felt nothing more than a cool breeze on their backs and skin. Tywin often wondered that, his grandmother had been a dragon and yet, here he was sweating his skin of with the rest of the court it often made him wonder, was there truly any truth the rumours he had heard as a child. That was at least part of the reason why he had been so keen to see his children wed into the royal family. Jaime had been betrothed his friend's daughter Princess Rhaena two moons ago, and though both children were both still young, it was obvious that they were very fascinated with one another. He'd brought Jaime with him to court when his son had turned six, and his son had quickly struck up a friendship with the crown prince Aemon as well as the boy's two younger brothers Viserys and Baelon.

Whilst the betrothal of his heir to a princess of the blood was a huge thing for him, Tywin wished for his daughter to one day be queen, he wanted what any sane man wanted, to be grandfather to the next king. And whilst there had already been plenty of offers streaming in from across the kingdoms, he knew that his own suit would be viewed in a slightly more favourable light, he was after all hand and best friends with the king. Aegyl, did however, seem slightly less willing to see his heir betrothed too soon, which was understandable, after all his eldest son's marriage would determine the course of the kingdoms for years to come, not a matter to be taken lightly.

In the five years that he had served as hand so far, the peace which the king's grandfather had worked so hard to bring about had continued and seemed to be prospering. There were no threats of war, no rebellious lords, trade was booming both within Westeros and with the outside world. It seemed as if the time of harmony and peace and plenty was upon them. The singers certainly made it seem that way. There had been a tourney held within two moons of the king being crowned, to celebrate the dawning of a new era, the era of peace. Lords, knights and their hangers on had come from across the kingdoms to compete, the prizes had been huge amount of gold, some of which had made Tywin's own eyes widen. 500,000 dragons for the winner of the jousting, 200.000 dragons for the winner of the melee, and 100,000 dragons for the winner of the archer competition. Tywin asked his friend where they would get the money for this, and Aegyl had replied in that off hand manner of his that, the royal coffers were over flowing with money and some of it needed to be spent. The winner of the jousting if Tywin remembered correctly had been Ser Brandon Stark of the Kingsguard known as the White Wolf. Other tourneys had been held since then, at Highgarden where fat old Luthor Tyrell had thrown a tourney; Ser Brandon had won there as well, as he had at the tourney of Storm's End.

Though there was peace in the realm, the game was still being played and as such Aegyl had asked for the lords Brandon Stark, Elbert Arryn and Garth Hightower to be fostered in King's Landing so that his son and heir Aemon might get to know some of those who he would soon rule with. It was also a way for the crown to ensure the complete loyalty of the relevant houses. For though the crown had ties with the Starks and the Arryns through marriage, the distance between them and the capital often meant that they grew isolated from court affairs. From what he had seen of the Prince and his companions, of which Jaime was one, it seemed to have been a smart move by the king. Brandon Stark was wild, a wilful lad and strong headed though fiercely loyal to the prince, Garth Hightower was quiet and brooding, whilst Elbert Arryn was the middle of the two others, and Jaime, Tywin had seen the reckless abandon of his own son, and whilst he knew that eventually he would have to curtail that side of his son, for now he was more than happy to let it be. His son was only nine after all.

Other news had come to him from the Westerlands which Joanna ruled ably and well in his stead. Tygett had become a father once more, his wife the king's own aunt had borne him four children so far, two sons and two girls. Tyrek, Lucion, Darlessa and Myrcella. His brother seemed to have become a happier man since his marriage, according to Joanna Tygett no longer scowled so much, nor did he seem so perpetually angry either. Gerion had also wedded and bedded his own Westerling bride, and the woman had borne him two sons so far, Tommem and Sevron were their names. Living in the rebuilt and refurbished and much nicer Crag, Joanna wrote that Gerion had the people of the crag eating out of his hands. An unsurprising thing, considering Gerion had always been one to turn the charm on when it mattered to him.

The only one of his brothers, not yet married was Kevan, Tywin knew his brother had been in love with Sylvia Crakehall but she had been killed in a riding accident some two years past, and as such his brother had not seen fit to wed. Tywin had not wished to push anyone on his brother since then, not wanting to rub salt in the wound, for he knew how he would feel if someone were to suggest such a thing to him should gods forbid Joanna die. No he had decided to let his brother be for the time being, when it was right he would bring it up again.

Of his own direct family. Tywin knew that Cersei continued to grow into a fine young lady, Joanna wrote that their daughter would soon grow to become even lovelier than she had ever been. Tywin was not sure what to make of that, though he knew that he wanted Prince Aemon to think the same. He also knew that his wife had birthed him another son, he had been there for the birth. Joanna had laboured for nearly a whole day trying to bring their second son into the world. When the child had eventually come, it had been a boy, who had been born very short. Maester Geribald had said the child would never grow as tall as normal people would and that his growth would stop at a particular height. And whilst that jarred at his pride a little, Tywin did not really care, his wife and child both lived and he had another son. They had decided to give this son of theirs a traditional Lannister name, Tyrion he had been called.

A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Ser Barristan Selmy standing in the doorway, when the knight saw him looking at him he said. "My lord hand, the king requests your presence in the small council chamber."

Tywin nodded and walked with the white knight to the council chamber, where he found the king already seated along with Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower and his cousin Prince Aerys. Aerys was a strange one, someone who lusted after something that was not his, a dangerous man if incompetent. They were soon joined by the other members of the council, Grand Maester Pycelle his chain clinking as he walked, Prince Maron Martell the master of whispers a cunning man and sly, master of coin Ser Benjen Rykker a capable man who had replaced the late Allem Dayne, master of ships and the Queen's brother Victarion Greyjoy a simple man. Once they were all seated the king spoke then his voice strong and commanding. "My lords I thank you all for coming. There are two main issues we must discuss. The first is concerning the issue of the Darklyns and their demands. The second is the Royal Fleet."

Grand Maester Pycelle took up the tale. "A raven came from Duskendale this morning, writ in Lord Denys Darklyn's hand. The man asks for more rights for himself and those of his people, he asks for a charter of his people and a clear definition of what his citizens rights are."

Benjen Rykker spoke then. "Darklyn has been grasping for more power since the days it became common knowledge King Brynden was ill. How do we know that his demands for a new town charter and clearer rights for his citizens is not just a ploy to gain more power for himself?"

Victarion Greyjoy voiced his agreement. "Aye this Darklyn lord seems ambitious too ambitious by half if you ask me, from some of the demands he has been making as of late."

Tywin spoke then. "Has Lord Darklyn actually specified what he wants as part of this new charter or is he just making an open ended demand once more?"

Pycelle looked at the letter once more before saying. "No my lord, he makes no mention of what he would like to include in this new charter. It seems to be an open ended demand once more."

"Then I would not give into his demand Your Grace," Tywin says. "Doing so would only make you look weak in front of your other lords and give them the impression that you are an easy person to pushover."

The king was silent for a long moment before he spoke. "Maron, what do your sources tell you about the Lord and what he plans on doing?"

The master of whispers is silent and then says. "As of now nothing, my sources have been quiet on this issue. To me it seems as if this is a genuine demand, though the fact that he does not state what he wants in the charter does make me curious. I agree with Lord Tywin Your Grace, accepting this demand would make you look weak."

Prince Aerys speaks then. "The dragon should not take any demands from anyone else. They are inferior to the throne Your Grace. Perhaps it is time that Lord Darklyn was reminded of this with steel and fire."

"I will not bring war to the kingdom where none is necessary. Pycelle I want a letter sent to Duskendale asking this man what he wants in precise terms, tell him I will not accept another vague letter of demands. If he wants something, he asks, not demands, I am not his servant. Maron have your sources find out all you can about what happens in the man's court, I will not deal with him blind." The king says. And then turns the attention of the council onto something else. "Now Victarion how goes the building of the new ships for the royal fleet?"

The master of ships was silent for a long moment before he said. "It goes well Your Grace. Twenty of the war galleys you asked for are ready for use. The final twenty shall be done within the next few weeks master Mott assures me. Soon enough the Royal Fleet will be in fighting fit shape once more."

The king nods and then asks. "Maron has there been any word on where Lord Mantarys Velaryon has gotten to? He does not reply to ravens sent to the Driftmark, and my mother writes that he has not come by Dragonstone."

"My sources have been quiet on him Your Grace. It is possible that he got lost along the way whilst trying to sail to Valyria, we all know how dangerous such a path is." Maron replied.

What was it with these Valyrians their desire to get some of their old history back, it would be the death of them just as surely as the dragons had nearly proven to be. Tywin thought. The council meeting was then brought to a close and Tywin walked back to his chambers, leaving the king and his cousin deep in discussion about some matter or the other. The next few weeks and even moons seemed to fly by, there was much work that was done, peace was hard work to maintain, there were minor squabbles that needed to be resolved and other such issues.

Tywin returned to the Rock briefly for a few weeks bringing Jaime along with him, there he shut off completely from the world and spent his time with his wife and children. Listening to the tales Cersei told him about what she had gotten up to, and watching his son Tyrion walk about and babble some incoherent words. He basked in the comfort and relaxation that being with Joanna allowed him as well, relishing the feeling of not being alone once more. One night towards the end of his stay, he brought up his thoughts on possible marriage options for Cersei. "My love," he said holding Joanna in his arms. "I know you and the Princes of Dorne have often talked about wedding our children to one another, but with Jaime betrothed to Princess Rhaena, and Prince Doran already married, perhaps the time has come to consider other options?"

"Oh?" his wife asked turning round to face him. "And who pray tell were you thinking of wedding our daughter to if not one of our friends children?"

Tywin hesitates for a moment and then says. "Prince Aemon my love. Think about it for a moment, our daughter would be the future queen of Westeros and our grandson would sit the throne."

He had expected many things from his wife but for her to laugh is one reaction he had honestly not expected. "My love our daughter is but nine years old, and whilst Jamie is already betrothed do you not think it is a bit early to consider selling our daughter off to the highest bidder, even if he is your friend. Has the king given his seal of approval for this match?" Tywin hesitated and Joanna laughed once more. "So you have not even asked him yet. Tread carefully Tywin, the King is proud and stubborn he might not want to have two of his children wed to the same family and raise suspicions amongst his other lords."

Tywin is silent for he knows his wife is right. The next day a feast is thrown for all of his siblings have decided to come to the Rock for one last time before he departs along with Jaime for the capital. There is much merriment, the Lannisters are united once more and Genna and her husband Prince Aelix Targaryen and their children, Aenar, Aerion and Aegon all take part in the festivities. Tywin himself sits at the high table watching everything with a keen eye wondering if all will be well tonight. At one point he finds himself speaking with his goodbrother. Prince Aelix had the classical Targaryen features, silver hair and purple eyes, with a broader build than his nephew and a much more confident air about him. "Ah Lord Tywin," The prince began. "I trust the capital has treated you well? How are my nephews doing?"

"Well my prince. The king rules well and Prince Aerys provides good council." Tywin says cautiously, the man might be his goodbrother but he is also a Targaryen and Tywin has learnt to tread carefully around them.

The Prince snorts. "Aye I know Aegyl would. Have you not seen Princess Rhaella since your time at court started?"

"No My prince I have not." Tywin replied, it was true the princess and her son Prince Rhaegar spent their time in Summerhall and never came to King's Landing to avoid Aerys, Aegyl had told him.

The prince shakes his head in sadness then. "Ah mores' the pity. I did always wonder why my father sought to wed them to one another. But then that is not a problem for you is it? No, my lord hand just keeps an eye on my nephew for me. He can be very unpredictable."

Those words continue to echo inside Tywin's head as he returns to King's Landing and is told that the Darklyns are refusing to pay their taxes, and that Aerys is calling for banners, whilst the king remains silent on the matter.