Hey!

This is a calmer chapter filled with some cool reunions! There were so many cool moments I had in my head between certain characters that I actually had to split this chapter into two separate ones because there were too many scenes :D

Enjoy :)


Chapter 80: King's Landing Part 1

A few days later … Week on from leaving Sunspear …

King's Gate, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Kenna urged her horse to pass through the shadow of the King's Gate. She could hear Lord Royce's thundering voice ahead of her and see Arty's curly brown hair amongst all the shining helmets. The throng of the Arryn and Lannister hosts surrounded her; tired boots hitting the well-worn road, exhausted mutters of elation that they had reached their destination, sighs of weary soldiers who knew the war was far from over.

Kenna didn't blame them for their reactions. She felt the same, she just didn't have the luxury of showing it.

But that didn't mean no one saw it.

"We are nearly there," Tywin said as he guided his larger white stallion beside her black mare, causing both their personal guards to mingle with each other as they tried to protect their lieges.

"I have eyes," Kenna snapped back only to scold herself a second later for letting her weariness get the better of her.

"And a sharp tongue too," Tywin stated, still looking straight ahead at the deserted King's Landing streets.

"I apologies for that," Kenna forced out, "And while I am at it you have my condolences for the loss of your brother as well. Losing a sibling is never easy."

"I have lost three brothers now but Kevan was the best of them."

There was nothing Kenna felt she could say in response so she let the Lord's statement fade away in the air between them.

The lack of emotion in which his words had been spoken bothered her. Did each death build on the others? Where the blows of grief the same in power, just aimed at the same place in the heart? Or was the first a bruising blow, the second a blood drawing one and the third a knockback?

Kenna shook her head. It was useless comparing grief. She had lost her mother, her father, a potential lover in Jasper, her sister and a loyal friend in Lord Grafton.

Kenna knew if she stopped her mind and allowed herself a real moment of reflection on what she had lost, on what she had done, and on what she could lose. It might break her so she pushed away the remnants of the quiet little girl she had been and the fair lady she should have grown into and replaced her with the murderous woman and war time Queen she had become.

"Last time I crossed through this gate with you I was a trophy on your horse. Now I cross through it with you in the knowledge that you would have me as your Queen."

"You are not my Queen," Tywin glowered, not wanting to recall the image of him kneeling before her.

Kenna tutted, "Not what I said."

Tywin did not reply and that is how Kenna knew she had got the better of him but he didn't urge his horse away from her.

They continued their advancement into the city in silence until they reached the Courtyard of the Red Keep.


A minute later …

Courtyard, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Tommen was standing with his hands clasped behind his back as if he didn't know what else to do with them. He was surrounded closely by the white cloaked Kingsguards, although the only other people around him were Tyrion, Qyburn, Mace, and Commander Strickland.

Kenna saw Jaime had already dismounted and was engaged in an animated conversation with his little brother.

Tommen stepped forward, "Grandfather it is good to see you again. Congratulations on your successes at Pyke and in Dorne. Uncle Jaime says they were quite the triumph," the young monarch turned to Kenna who had just jumped down from her mare, "Queen Kenna I hear you birthed two healthy twin boys while at Winterfell. I would like to meet my cousins some day when this war is over."

"I hear that you know what having a little boy is like," Kenna said smiling warmly down at the little lion King who's eyes only came up to her shoulders, "and I am sure my two would love to meet you."

"Margaery is with Steffon right now," Tommen replied excitedly, "and I think Ser Loras is with her. Playing with Steffon distracts my wife from the loss of Lady Olenna."

"Children are a joy," Kenna said hearing Lord Tywin's feet hit the ground just behind her, "I will give my condolences to Queen Margaery and Ser Loras when I see them."

"Lord Tywin," came Mace's dull tones, before the Lord of the Reach could utter another word Tywin addresses Tommen, "We will go through the preparations for the invasion tomorrow your Grace in the Small Council chamber once everyone has arrived."

Tommen looked to the dimming light before nodding his agreement.

Tywin inclined his head to both his grandson and good-daughter before he started walking towards the Red Keep. The tall Lion Lord barely slowed when Lord Mace managed to joined him on his march towards the Red Keep.

Kenna could tell Tywin didn't like the man by the way he tensed his shoulders to an almost unnatural stillness as the two Lord Paramount's walked away. She saw Tyrion send his father a toothy grin as they passed him and Jaime, probably knowing the same thing Kenna had just figured out.

"Has King Robb arrived already?" Kenna asked eyeing Lord Royce now speaking with Commander Strickland, knowing the Northern host had marched with both Lord Mace and the leader of the Golden Company.

"King Robb is visiting the Great Sept of Baelor," Tommen said as his eyes darted behind Kenna, "I have no idea why though. I thought Northmen worshiped the Old Gods."

"They do, your Grace," Kenna replied politely, thinking better about commenting on the short memory of the young King.

Tommen may have no idea why Robb Starks first decision since arriving in King's Landing had been to seek out the Great Sept of Baleor.

But Kenna knew.

It wasn't about the Great Sept of Baelor. It was about the steps. About the man that had died on them.

Kenna was grateful when Tommen's searching eyes found what he had been looking for since their conversation had started.

He rushed past Kenna, "Myrcella!"

Kenna couldn't help but smile as the King of the Seven Kingdoms helped his pregnant sister down from her mare and hugged her. It was a deep embrace and showed how much Tommen had missed her since her departure to Dorne years ago.

The scene was almost enough to make you forget they were technically at war with one another.

"I had your old chambers made up for your return," Tommen said keeping his arms around Myrcella who was still taller than him.

"Thank you," Myrcella replied before pulling Tommen into a full embrace again. It was clear that the fondness between them wasn't just one way.

Kenna left the two siblings alone and walked to the corner of the courtyard where Artys was enjoying his own form of reunion.

"If you hug him any tighter Artys you might break his bones," Kenna jested upon seeing Qyburn caught in Arty's long and lean arms.

"Queen Kenna speaks the truth," Qyburn managed to wheeze out, "you are no longer the little boy who mixed all my elixirs for me but a King that now towers over me."

"Just as well," Artys laughed letting the embrace go, "I don't recall being very good at mixing your potions but from what I can tell you are no longer just a healer but a member of the Small Council to .. Tommen Baratheon."

"Don't worry Artys, Qyburn is merely on loan to King Tommen," Kenna jovially remarked squeezing her nephew's shoulder.

"The sun is going down," Qyburn chuckled back brushing off his position within the hierarchy of King's Landing, "Please let me show you to your chambers."

"Show Artys and Lord Royce," Kenna replied walking away from them.

"What are you going to do?" Artys called over to her.

"I haven't prayed to the Gods for a while," she threw over her shoulder before mounting her black mare once more and kicking back through the gates of the Red Keep. Her thirty or so strong personal guard mirrored her actions and urged their horses to keep up with their Queen.


"You better go after her," Tyrion said up to his brother as they watched the Arryn party rush out the gate of the Red Keep.

"Why? She can take care of herself," Jaime moaned.

"Of that I have no doubt but it would be highly embarrassing if the King in the North and the Queen over the Mountains were to get mugged before the siege began," Tyrion looked over at Lord Royce who had made his way to King Artys and Qyburn with a puzzled look on his face, "and I have an inkling that Robb Stark and Kenna Lannister should be stopped from spending too much time together without a scrutinising eye watching them."

"You think … something might happen between them?" Jaime whispered down at Tyrion.

"I didn't until you said that and we might want to keep those suspicions to ourselves-"

"You mean don't tell father that we think his one-time mistress, who also happens to be my wife, is fucking the King in the North who wants to kill us all because we nearly orchestrated the deaths of his entire family … I would never have worked that one out."

"Well you didn't work out that fucking your own sister was a bad idea so .."

That reply earned Tyrion a brotherly punch to the shoulder but the fact Tyrion remained standing indicated Jaime wasn't truly mad.

"Anyway, I doubt Robb Stark would stoop so low as to have sex with a married woman," Tyrion said bringing the conversation back on track, "I was originally more concerned about them plotting together against our family."

"There is a Dragon Queen to defeat before this Alliance can fall into ruin and we all start backstabbing each other."

"Ah dear brother," Tyrion said in an exaggerated sweet tone, "If there is one thing I have learnt as Hand of the King it is that it is never too early for a knife to the back. If you can spot the potential for intrigue and betrayal is it best to stop it when you can and not let it bloom. Besides, I am sure father doesn't want your wife going anywhere without a Lannister escorting her."

"You mean spying on her?"

"I said no such thing," Tyrion winked, "now go."

Jaime rolled his eyes, "You are sounding more and more like Father," but he remounted his horse and called for some Lannister soldiers to follow him.

"I think it is this," Tyrion called out pointing to the Hand of the King pin on his lapels.

"Well luckily for you, you won't have it for much longer," Jaime shouted behind him as his horse trotted out the gate of the Red Keep.


Twenty minutes later …

Outside the Great Sept of Baelor, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


It wasn't hard to locate Robb. He stood within a circle of armed Northmen, staring at the steps in front of him.

Kenna dismounted and walked steadily towards the circle of Northmen with her own men at her back.

"Robb," Kenna called out gently.

The King in the North gestured for her to be let through.

"The sun is going down," Kenna said when she reached him, "We should return to the Red Keep."

"This is where my father was beheaded with Ice. Sansa said she stood right there," Robb pointed to an area of the stairs.

He was clearly not interested in leaving just yet.

"She was standing close enough to get some of my father's blood on her dress and Arya said she climbed that statue right there."

Kenna flicked her eyes back to the large marble statue of Baelor the Blessed she had left her horse by.

"Of course, to you this place is one of happy memories. You slit my Aunt's throat and killed Lord Baelish here."

Kenna stiffened at Robb's harsh words, "I would not call it a place of happy memories but I did enjoy killing my father's murders."

Robb turned to Kenna with a sad smile on his face, "All I want is to feel the same joy you felt."

"Joffrey is dead."

"Cersei Lannister isn't. Jaime Lannister isn't. And neither is Tywin Lannister."

"Did you forget to add Tyrion to that list?"

"The Imp has done no wrong to me or House Stark," Robb said casting his mind back to when Tyrion actually showed kindness to Bran in designing the saddle that enabled Bran to still ride a horse.

Kenna caught Robb's hand with her own, "I made a promise to you and I hope you know I intend to keep it."

A smooth voice interrupted their intimate moment.

"So, this is where you got to. I hope you are praying for my future health dear wife."

Robb took away his hand and looked beyond the Stark soldier circle, and the grouped Vale Knights, to see Jaime leading a party of twenty red-clad armoured men towards them.

Jaime stopped his horse by Baelor's statue, "I think it is time for you both to return to the Red Keep."

"I think it is time you paid for attacking my father in these very same streets," Robb roared releasing Trident's Vengeance from his belt.

"Now now," Jaime mocked, "I seem to recall fighting with your father on the Street of Silk, opposite a brothel he had just come out off, not opposite the Great Sept of Baelor."

The only thing stopping Robb from charging at the mounted Lannister was Kenna putting her body in front of him and her hand tightening around his sword arm.

"We have all lost people in this city and we are here together to make sure we don't lose anymore to a Targaryen restoration," Kenna said slowly, begging the Gods that Jaime would keep his mouth shut.

"What did he lose?" Robb half screamed half howled in anger at Jaime.

"My honour apparently," Jaime flawlessly relied without a moment's hesitation.

"Jaime saved King's Landing that day," Kenna said softly knowing the truth and trying to appease Robb's rage.

"He killed his King," Robb exclaimed, "A man he was sworn to protect."

"If he had upheld that oath. King's Landing would have been a burning inferno instead of a lively city. The Mad King would have had this city be his funeral pyre," Kenna replied hoping Robb could submerge his fiery temper and understand Jaime's actions that fateful day.

Robb looked from Kenna's serious face to Jaime's mute one. He couldn't detect a lie and Jaime's cocksure grin had fallen off his face.

"I will return to the Red Keep," Robb leaned towards Kenna so his lips were inches away from her ear, "But one day this very sword will pierce the heart of Yohn and Jorge's father and if you keep your promises you will help me make it so."

"A promise I can only fulfil once Daenerys Targaryen is defeated," Kenna shot back in a hushed tone.

Robb kept his light blue eyes locked on Kenna's until he leaned away and walked with his men back towards the Red Keep.

Kenna closed her eyes and concentrated on slowing her heart beat. Her promises would be the death of her.

"Kenna?" Jaime asked with all the chivalry a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms should have.

She turned her head to see her guards had let Jaime trot his horse straight to her.

I am fine, Kenna mentally replied before opening her mouth, "Can you try to be any less antagonising towards him? We need this alliance to work."

"If I fake an apology to you will you put your ass on your horse and ride back to the Red Keep with me?"

Kenna didn't dignify the comment with a response but hastily stomped to her idle mare and raced it back towards the Red Keep.

Jaime knew he had pushed his luck and decided to allow his irate wife some space. He and his men were left to watch as the shadows of the evening swept over the marble steps of the Great Sept of Baelor.


That evening …

Tower of the Hand, Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Lannister/Tyrell) in the Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms


Tyrion ascended the steps of the Tower of the Hand in his father's shadow. He had tried multiple times to get his father's attention on the walk from the Courtyard but each time he had been rebuffed so he followed in silence, contemplating what was waiting for him when they reached their obvious destination.

Tywin barged through the guarded door to the Hand's solar and headed straight to the desk and sat in the chair behind it.

"I take it you will be resuming the duties of being Tommen's Hand?" Tyrion commented with the disappointment evident on his face as he slipped into the chair opposite the Hand's desk.

Tywin outright ignored Tyrion, asking his own question that had necessitated the private space they were now in.

"How did Kevan die?"

Tyrion observed the quiet tone in which his father had asked the question and the way in which his body had seemed to sink into the chair.

"We were both lured into the cellar that housed the skulls of the Targaryen's dragons. I thought Uncle Kevan wanted to discuss the future of the Tyrells role in Tommen's reign, hence for the clandestine meeting location, and he presumed the same of me," Tyrion said needling his knees as the story continued.

Having seen his son's fidgeting hands Tywin stood and walked over to a nearby table and poured Tyrion a goblet of wine. Tyrion missed the way his father took a deep breath over the table and compose himself before returning to his vision.

Tyrion continued once his hand curled around a goblet of wine, "We quickly realised we were in a trap and tried to leave but by that time it was too late," Tyrion took a swig of the wine, "The guards tried to fight but there were just too many …"

"Too many what?"

"Too many children."

"Varys," Tywin realised.

"Yes," Tyrion replied draining his cup and watching his father lean back into the chair, "He saved me father and all I could do was watch as they butchered him."

The expression on his face remained unchanged but Tyrion knew that underneath it all was a raging inferno. The issue was he wasn't quite sure if it was aimed at him or Varys.

His father's eyes were on him but to Tyrion it seemed like they were staring through him not at him. He could feel the tension in the room build the longer the silence stretched on.

He had learnt a long time ago that his father's wrath came in two forms. A blinding hurricane of harsh words that would reduce most men to quivering messes on the floor and an eerie silence in which you felt if shattered would cause another Doom of Valyria to occur. Tyrion knew from experience that the first form was much more preferable to the second.

With Kevan's dying screams echoing in the back of his mind Tyrion couldn't endure this silence or the guilt that was gnawing away at him. He placed his empty goblet on the table and prayed to the Gods that he would survive the next conversation.

"Father I know you probably blame me for not knowing it was a trap and wish it was me laying in a casket ready to be carted back to the Rock, and the Gods know Uncle Kevan did not deserve his fate, but I will do everything in my power to avenge him. I owe him that."

Tywin clenched his jaw tightly but kept staring through Tyrion.

"Father, please say something," Tyrion pleaded, not knowing where he stood or what he should do. If it was anyone else in front of him it would have been easy to console them but this was Tywin Lannister, although they had come to respect one another they were never going to have the traditional father son relationship Tyrion had so craved when he was a child.

Tywin finally snapped out of the trance like state he had been in, "I wish no Lannisters had died. You said it was Qyburn that got you out of the tunnels?"

"His children spies, yes."

"He is Queen Kenna's man?"

"Completely loyal I am afraid and a very capable man at that. He has managed to totally dismantle Vary's little bird network in King's Landing and I haven't as yet found any vices he likes to indulge in."

"Mmm," Tywin murmured contemplating the new balance of power in King's Landing, "I will resume my role as Tommen's Hand. You will continue to serve on the Small Council."

"As what?"

"It hardly matters, we are at war."

Tyrion nodded; all members of the Small Council were effectively Masters of War now.

"If I die in this war with the Dragon Queen and you somehow survive, I want you to make sure that Lord Varys suffers for Kevan's death … and that Kenna's children are brought up as Lannisters."

"A Lannister always pays his debts and I will ensure Yohn and Jorge know there are as much lions as they are falcons," Tyrion replied which seemed to satisfy Tywin.

"You can go now. We will have a busy day tomorrow."

Tyrion jumped down from the chair, "Trying to get Robb Stark, the Tyrells, my good-sister and you to agree on a plan of defence is going to be interesting."

"Your suggestions and preparations better be good then. You have had enough time," Tywin said before Tyrion exited from the chamber and started his walk down the spiralling stairs of the Tower of the Hand.

Oh, you might be surprised with what Qyburn and I have come up with, Tyrion smugly thought.


Author's Notes

I couldn't resist a Qyburn & Artys hug, a super cute Tommen & Myrcella scene and some bro talk between Tyrion & Jaime :D

Robb is a bit combative with Kenna in their scene because he is generally not happy allying with the Lannisters and he is impatient for the time that he can turn on the Lannisters and avenge his father's death (Cersei & Jaime) and the Red Weddings (Tywin).

Tywin not blaming Tyrion for Kevan's death or making an insulting comment towards him while discussing Kevan's death I think really shows that Tywin knows Tyrion's value now and that they have a functioning work relationship that can only benefit Tommen. Dare I suggest that Tyrion is the golden (adult) child now? PS Varys beware!


Reviews:

Supremus85 – I think Kevan was a good man so naturally he gets a really horrible death ;P Yes Tommen is I think fifteen or sixteen (still growing in height though) and he has had two years of ruling so he is getting to grips with Kingship.

NightlyRowenTree – My pleasure :)

David Daniel B – It is going to be fun when they all clash!

Tohka123 – Thanks there is something about children being killers which is just creepy on another level. Yup, big confrontation ahead!

Lord Demolitions – I love cheese too! And this is part of the reason why I couldn't have poison in the cheese (joking!) I just think it is much easier to poison wine than cheese. You got Tywin's reaction in this chapter with Tyrion, it wasn't explosive as I think you imagined, as I think Tywin would react with cold fury because it is a personal loss not just a reputational loss. Kevan's death is the one that has hit him hard as Kevan was the one he liked (loved?) the most out of his siblings. Tyrion was only ever acting Hand, now his father is back he is Tommen's Hand but Tyrion is still a Small Council member. Luckily in the world of Game of Thrones and for this story there are a lot of replacements ;P

Guest – Varys is the Spider, he may truly care for the 'Realm' but he went toe to toe with Littlefinger and you can't do that unless you are as manipulative and as sinister minded as him. Varys doesn't get his hands dirty but he does order others too which is just as bad. But he is one hell of a Game of Thrones player and is only a boon for Dany.

Shadow Wolf 15846 – I know, I think he would have been a nice Lord to serve under. Oberyn is going to be absolutely raging! He strangled the love of his life because she facilitated his brother's murder and now five of his eight daughters are dead because he/Dorne joined Dany to avenge his sister's murder … lot of death there!


Next Up: King's Landing Part 2 -Kenna takes a turn round the gardens with Margaery, while Artys and Robb go hell for leather in the practice yard, Jaime decides to teach Tommen a thing or two, and Tywin calls for a Small Council meeting to finalise their strategy against Daenerys Stormborn.

If you are enjoying this story please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!